#ancient Macedonian religion

[jeannereames]

Just out. Yes, it's stupid-expensive, but perhaps you can get your local library to get a copy.

This is the second important collection on ATG out this year, and which I have a chapter in. I'm rather proud of my material in both the Cambridge Companion to Alexander the Great (which is fairly priced for an academic book of its size), but also (and maybe especially) this one.

My Cambridge chapters pull together some important recent work on Alexander's court and the conflicts among the Hetairoi and with the army. So if you were intrigued by my recent posts on the drama around Alexander, I talk about it in the Cambridge Companions, especially the second chapter (12: "Changes and Challenges at Alexander's Court"). It pulls together some divergent material that I think all bears on the other (especially the recent work on Archaic Macedonia), and I throw out some proposals/revisions of prior thought. But it's as much summarizing as original work.

My chapter in the Brill Companion to the Campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great is primarily original research. And a (I hope) super-duper useful table of ALL religious references in the 3 or 5 original sources, on both Philip and Alexander. That's not been done, to my knowledge, like, ever. Fredricksmeyer's dissertation in 1954? (unsure of date and too lazy to look it up, but the mid-50s) was the last really serious, extensive look at Alexander and religion that consolidated the sources. And he didn't provide tables.

So yeah, that's my BIG contribution to ATG research in the past decade, really. And it's SYNOPTIC, folks. What does that mean? I record where X event occurs in each of the 3 or 5 primarily sources for each king, with holes for who didn't record it. If you've ever seen a copy of the Synoptic Gospels, that was my model. This is SUPER useful because it lets you see who told what story, how different sources changed details, and what *sort* of religious action each event/reference was.

It's a long chapter, in part because of that table. It took a lot of work. But I really hope it proves a useful resource (beyond just my commentary on it) for future research on Alexander.

[illustratus]

Alexander Consulting the Oracle of Apollo by Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée

[whencyclopedia]

Ancient Armenia, located in the south Caucasus area of Eurasia, was settled in the Neolithic era but its first recorded state proper was the kingdom of Urartu from the 9th century BCE. Incorporated into the Persian Empire of Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE, the Orontid dynasty ruled as Persian satraps, a function they performed for their next overlords the Macedonians and Seleucid Empire into the 3rd century BCE. Under the Artaxiad and Arsacid dynasties the country flourished but was often caught between the ambitions of Parthia and Rome, and then the Sasanian and Byzantine Empires. The boundaries of the state varied considerably over the centuries but such common factors as religion and language were united by long-lasting dynastic clans, which gave Armenia its own unique identity throughout antiquity.

[memories-of-ancients]

The Roman Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt

In ancient history the pharaoh was the head of state and ruler of the country. However, he was not just a secular ruler, but a divine being on Earth who acted as an intermediary between the spiritual world and the earthly world. In essence he was a mortal representative of the gods. Interestingly, one did not have to be an Egyptian to be an Egyptian pharaoh. The act of conquering and ruling Egypt qualified one to be a pharaoh. As a result there were many foreign pharaohs throughout Egyptian history including those who were Persian, Nubian, Libyan, Hyksos, Kushite, and Macedonian Greek.

In 30 BC Cleopatra VII became the last ruler of Egypt from the Macedonian Greek Ptolemaic Dynasty. Cleopatra had backed the losing side of a Roman civil war, opposing Octavian and supporting Marc Antony. Octavian won, she was deposed, she committed suicide, and Egypt became a Roman province. When Octavian became Augustus and founded the Roman Empire, the Egyptians also recognized him as the official Pharaoh of Egypt. Afterwards successive Roman emperors were also declared pharaohs, until around the 4th century when Christianity became the dominant religion in Egypt.

Truth be told, most if not all Roman emperors didn't give a damn about being pharaohs. Most emperors never even stepped foot in Egypt and it didn't seem like they took their role as pharaoh very seriously. Regardless Egyptian iconography and art was crafted depicting Roman emperors in Egyptian style wearing Egyptian royal regalia and interacting with Egyptian gods. Some interesting examples are...

Gigachad Pharaoh Augustus

Tiberius

Nero

Nero again

Trajan making sacrifices to Hathor

Domitian

Domitian with Horus

Caracalla

Marcus Aurelius

[wrotelovelytears]

Pluto might be in Aquarius

But that's only half the story.

Now I'm not one to believe only the planets inspire change in people but the environment they live in, their disposition and their current state of being impacts them just as much. Astrology without the consideration of culture and context is just astronomy. It has the body but not the soul.

I start with that because of all the current global happenings. I understand the importance of spiritual and religious practices, and they don't exist in a bubble of their own. It is highly related to the cultural movements and ethnic practices of a region. If we are going to be honest religions/spirituality would not exist with out those cultural foundations. Literally there would be nothing if ethnic and cultural differences didn't play a role.

Hoodoo wouldn't exist if African Americans didn't. The Greek Pantheon wouldn't be a thing if the ancient Greeks didn't interact with the Egyptians, Nubians and Macedonians. And it should be very well known the Romans stole their whole flow and rebranded. The same Romans who took Christianity and set the foundation for the many versions we see today.

I say all that because I've noticed a lack of connecting between the social/political climate, traditions and belief systems. We can't pretend that Vedic astrology isn't an actual part of Hinduism because it wouldn't exist if Hinduism wasn't here. And Hinduism is the result of two very different populations interacting with one getting colonized and pushed south and the other needing a system/ belief to justify it. We can't pretend that tropical astrology isn't a more Eurocentric method because the signs, planets and their meanings are not the same outside of Western/Eurocentric ideology. In fact it's heavily based off of Roman and Greek interpretations, the base of Western Society as a whole.

I'm not going to pretend that Pluto moving into Aquarius is the only reason why we suddenly "see" more social changes, more standoffish behavior, more coldness to our fellow human. All Aquarius is doing is putting it on the internet. It sent a tweet out and we all saw it. These issues aren't a magical happening, they are the result of centuries of bs pilling up. Of cultures merging in ways that weren't possible before modern technology. Of colonization. Imperialism. Chattel Slavery. The Arab Slave trade. Ethnic cleansings.

People weren't passive before the shift into Aquarius, people were ignoring it. It's really easy to do when you have no personal reason to care, in fact it's probably something all humans can relate to on one topic or another. Trust me I was heavily into activism spaces a decade ago, everything being talked about in media now was talking about then. It was talkes about when my parents were growing up in the 60s. My grandparents in the 20s/30s and so on. Aquarius just put it in our faces (again, and will continue to do so) and said "now what? ".

I want people to not just lean in to spiritual/religious practices because they are popular but to look into the actual meanings they have. I want people to understand that yes you can be spiritual/religious and your ethnic background does impact how you practice. I want people to understand these changes we see in France (they lost their standing in Africa, literally all their former colonies told it to cope, and that's leading to their collapse), South Korea (this is not the first, and sadly won't be the last time, power has been abused under the name of "anti communism", in fact ask South East Asians how they treated there and you'll see this was going to happen), the United States (a country founded on genocide and racism isn't going to magically be less of those because a Black woman got to run for office) etc aren't solely a shift in the Star positions.

I see people point out the French Revolution happened the last time Pluto was in Aquarius (but they also had lost all the land in the US and Haiti told them to fuck off, so it wasn't just not eating cake, it was the lack of slave labor to fund their empire). Or America getting it's freedom (Britain was getting close to abolishing chattel slavery (again free labor, people hate to lose their free labor), the Irish and Scottish were also giving the English a hard time, they had to pick between the people next door or the ones over the Ocean). At that time it was the lack of free labor that pushed those movements, yeah everyone didn't have slaves but they all benefited from that system.

So many astrologers say don't let the stars determine your life but literally turn around and do that. Astrology is a tool at the end of the day. That's it, because if someone doesn't believe in it that doesn't change what happens. Conformation bias would have us believe differently but that's just part of our nature to lean towards that which supports us, not questions us. It's a practice that spans the globe and millennia because we can all look up and see the same stars at night. Maybe not as bright because light pollution, not the same positions because stars go supernova and the solar system moves, but it's still up for everyone on the planet. It's something that regardless of where you go, there's some meaning to it, maybe not always spiritual but a reason nonetheless. And it's never the same, obviously or else this would be a very boring plane of existence, and there's overlap because humans gonna human no matter where we are.

I implore you to think on your upbringing. Think on your ethnic group(s). Think on your current country of residence. Think on what you were taught in school. Think on your family. Because that's what's impacting you. That's what makes you make the decisions you do. Not just Mars moving through your third house (this is just an example, if that's happening for you good for you or I hope it gets better idk) .

Pluto in Aquarius isn't bring change. It's humans and our individual motives that are and always have.

Aquarius is a sign that puts the spot light on things already in motion. It makes you think because if you don't you can't understand. It makes you detached because if you feel it too much you might get hurt. It makes you remember because this isn't the first, nor the last time it will happen. Aquarius is the personal motive made public part of human nature. The selfish desires that push for survival. The seeking of like mindedness. The drive for community, but only if it's the same as you. Aquarius is the when of the story.

[egypt-museum]

Relief of Sobek

Detail of a bas relief depicting the crocodile headed god Sobek at Temple of Kom Ombo. One of the most prominent deities associated with crocodiles was Sobek, he was worshipped as a protective deity, particularly in areas where crocodiles were prevalent.

During the Ptolemaic Period in ancient Egypt, the worship of Sobek continued, although there were some changes in religious practices and beliefs. The Ptolemaic Dynasty, which ruled Egypt from 305 BC to 30 BC, was of Greek Macedonian origin and brought their own religious traditions and deities to Egypt. However, they also adopted and incorporated many aspects of Egyptian religion, including the worship of Sobek.

Crocodiles held significant cultural and religious importance in ancient Egypt. They were associated with the Nile River, which was a vital source of life and fertility for the Egyptians. Crocodiles were seen as powerful and dangerous creatures, and their behavior and characteristics were often attributed to various deities.

Read more

[bretwalda-lamnguin]

Ptolemaic Gondor?

Tolkien named Ancient Egypt as one of the inspirations for Gondor-particularly aesthetically and in their capacity for grand architecture. The crown of Gondor also resembles the crown of Upper Egypt, tall and conical, with similar symbolism between the combining of the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt and the combination of the Gondorian crown with the Arnorian diadem-the Elendilmir. I think there is also a deeper link between Gondor and Ancient Egypt, particularly Egypt under the Ptolemaic dynasty, the last to rule Egypt before the Romans annexed it.

Under the cut for a brief history of Ptolemaic Egypt and what that has to do with Gondor!

The Ptolemies were descended from one of Alexander the Great’s generals, called, unsurprisingly, Ptolemy. Alexander and his army were from Macedon, a northern Greek kingdom. In the chaos after Alexander’s death his generals carved up his empire, with Ptolemy rushing to Egypt and having himself proclaimed Pharaoh. The Ptolemaic dynasty ruled from Alexandria, a city founded by Alexander in the Nile delta, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Ptolemy was a Macedonian, and many other Macedonians, both soldiers of Alexander and others, followed them to Egypt. Alexandria became a great centre of Greek Hellenic culture dominated by Macedonians, who became basically a ruling class of this new Ptolemaic state. The highest offices of government were reserved for Macedonians, Macedonian Greek was the court language, the military was made up (at first at least) of Macedonians and mercenaries, with no recruitment from the Egyptian population. The traditional Egyptian religion and the role of the Pharaoh within it remained (with some Greek introductions), but in most other things Macedonians and their customs dominated. No Ptolemaic Pharaoh even knew how to speak Egyptian until Cleopatra VII (yes, that’s THE Cleopatra), the last ruler of the dynasty! Even she seems to have done little to better integrate Egyptians and Macedonians, with the Macedonians remaining firmly in charge until the Romans annexed Egypt.

Now the Ptolemies were not the only successors of Alexander, and one of their main rivals were the Seleucid empire, founded by fellow Macedonian general Seleucus. The Ptolemies often fought for control of the Levant in the Syrian wars. During the reign of Ptolemy IV the Ptolemies and Seleucids were embroiled in the fourth Syrian war. Faced with manpower shortages within the Macedonian ruling class, Ptolemy IV’s army included Egyptians trained to fight in the Macedonian style as part of the phalanx. At Raphia, Ptolemy IV won a decisive victory, with the Egyptian troops playing a key role in the battle. While this did improve the lot of Egyptians within Ptolemaic Egypt, Macedonians continued to dominate both the state and the military, and the failure to further integrate Egyptians into the army contributed to the weakening of the Ptolemaic state, which enjoyed arguably its finest hour at Raphia. A succession of poor rulers and civil war would see the state decline, eventually being annexed into the Roman empire after the death of Cleopatra VII.

Now, how does that fit with Gondor?

Gondor was founded by Númenorian exiles, with a Númenorian ruling class. Its main languages are Westron (descended from Númenorian Andunaic) and Sindarin, a common language among certain Númenorian communities. Comparisons may be made between Alexandria and cities like Pelargir and Osgiliath as centres of Númenorian dominance and culture (Pelargir especially, there is a reason Castamir liked it so much). And, like Ptolemaic Egypt, it seems like Númenorians dominated the military, with other peoples excluded. To quote Faramir:

“But the stewards were wiser and more fortunate. Wiser, for they recruited the strength of our people from the sturdy folk of the sea-coast, and from the hardy mountaineers of Ered Nimrais.”

This would seem to imply that prior to this, these peoples were excluded, and Númenorians dominated the military. But the Gondorians learned their lesson, at least to a greater degree than the Ptolemies did, and were able to slow their decline by better integrating non-Númenorians into the state. Númenorians still hold the highest positions of power (Denethor and Imrahil are the two most powerful men in the country in the late third age, both are Númenorians), but military discrimination is at least heavily reduced.

The appendices and unfinished tales do say that Northmen were recruited into the Gondorian military after the Kin-Strife, and mentions them in Eärnur’s army sent to fight Angmar. These may have been analogous to the mercenary forces used by the Ptolemies, rather than representing a widening of recruitment (though many Northmen did settle in Gondor after the Kin-Strife).

Obviously the comparisons are not 1:1, but I think early Gondor may well have resembled Ptolemaic Egypt in the structure and stratification of society. I suspect that this began heavily breaking down after the Kin-Strife. For a start, a lot of Númenorians are dead, or have been forced to renounce their ancestry by Eldacar. The Gondorians will need to look elsewhere for a supply of manpower. Númenorian supremacy may well start being seen as treasonous due to Castamir’s actions, and an active threat to the continued existence of the Gondorian state. By Denethor II’s time the Gondorian army seems far more diverse, and even many of the aristocrats may well be non-Númenorian (though again, Denethor and Imrahil occupy the most powerful positions).

[alatismeni-theitsa]

Hello! I am Filipino (Kapampangan) and my family used to be very close to their animist/polytheistic roots but are no longer due to the genocide of our indigenous culture/peoples. I am very passionate about anti-colonialism (and the revival of culture, including religion) because of how it affected my life (and many before me), and I really like your blog! I find much joy in that people are willing to stand up against the squashing of other cultures simply because they do not fit the "ideal" or "aesthetic". Because I am not Greek, I would like the opinion of someone who does come from that culture on religion specifically. Would it be okay that people like me who aren't Greek worship the Greek pantheon/participate in Hellenic Polytheism? I was learning about polytheism in context of my own ancestry, and along the way, I came to learning of Hellenic, Egyptian, and Hindu, among other religions. The more I learn on Hellenic Polytheism, the more I believe in Orphic teachings as they just make sense to me. If it would be okay, how would I do so in a way that isn't harmful? What sources would you say are best? If not, I completely respect that. I understand how it is to deal with misrepresentation of your home culture/religion, and I don't want to contribute to all the cultural appropriation of Greek culture. Thank you !!

Hello! Thank you for opening up with your story and it was great learning about your experience and your thoughts💙 I know the internet connects everyone from all places on earth but if you think about it we are pretty far away from each other, and it makes me so happy that a person from so far away found joy in what I keep!

Most importantly, I feel it's so touching that a Kapampangan Filipino would say to a Macedonian Greek "I have found my spiritual way in your ancient gods* and the Orphic beliefs". What are the odds of this happening during the last thousands of years of human history! (There are some Filipino immigrants in Greece but the odds of this specific discussion happening are slim.) I miiight be getting a bit emotional about it, but again... what are the odds!

*We still refer to our ancient gods as "our gods" although nearly all of us are baptized Orthodox :p

Greeks don't mind if non-Greeks worship the Greek gods. While the Greek gods have a Greek cultural identity (Greeks literally believed they descended from these gods as a nation) there was never any point in restricting the worship of these gods to people from other regions. There are no such limitations in the ancient texts or rules of the religion.

To be faaaair, there are so many times many Greeks think "just don't touch the damned thing because there's a 99% chance you're gonna fandomize it or treat it like a doll play with a dash of Evangelical upbringing" but that's another problem and it comes down to attitudes 😂 There is this 1% of people who want to be respectful and research as much as they can, so we get very excited about this authentic cultural contact!

If you're here for long you've probably realized that Greeks could relate to some experiences of cultural erasure and prosecution + genocide of the Kapampangan people. You would have seen the post about the Ottoman Empire posts, the genocide, the anti-Greek sentiments, the pogroms etc. (And how we are pretty much dead in the eyes of many Western nations who don't even know what language we speak in Greece and call Greek a "dead language", but I digress 😂) I know our histories are not the exact same. But I appreciate how your message showed our shared goal.

For starters, you can check my f.a.q. page , you can check my tags #hellenic polytheism , #greek gods, #greek mythology, #ancient greece #zeus and hera, #hades and persephone, #xenoi doing bs , #greek speaks , and #hellenismos (which is an incorrect tag the way I use it, but I keep it for people who don't know it's better to avoid using it xD) There are lots of discussions there that will probably shed light on the opinions of Greeks and how inaccurately Greek culture is seen through a Western lens. The material is a lot but it will be a good start, and the posts have various moods.

I understand that you have some experience with cultural erasure, and perhaps some experience with outsiders adopting animist practices in disrespectful ways. You could use this experience to pin down the details of your learning path. I don't imply that you would cause any disrespect. To be honest, I already see that you are approaching the entry to the practice in the healthiest way!

What I am saying is that you could check for potential gaps in your understanding by examining how people misunderstood Greek symbolism or beliefs because of cultural differences. (I would do the same if I attempted to practice a faith foreign to me because I also have my own cultural lenses on)

Depending on where someone comes from, they might see the Greek gods as too cruel, or too soft, or too distant from humans, and the reason for this different POV (even if this POV sounds bonkers :p) is always interesting to investigate. So you can later bridge the gap based on what characteristics might be different between your culture and the ancient and modern Greek culture. This whole advice section might make more sense if you read the posts in the tags #zeus and hera and #hades and persephone .

But definitely start with ancient Greek texts as your guide! Any type of Greek text that mentions the gods. Be careful with ancient Roman texts, as they are later, and especially with whatever Ovid has written.

I'm sure you have already thought "I should approach the ancient Greek religion as I'd like a foreigner approaching my ancestral beliefs" and that would be just right! In addition to that, I would urge you to follow the ancient Greek texts but also look at what the modern Greeks are doing. Many of our rituals and religious philosophy have carried on to our Christianity, so they have evolved, in a way.

This is a bit tricky course because, obviously, you don't want to become a Christian Orthodox, and you still want to retain some ancient Greek practices which might not be used today. Reading a bit on Christian Orthodox practices might give an insight into this evolution so if you want to check it out read the tag #greek orthodox and #greek culture. Chances are, you are familiar with Catholicism but there are differences with Orthodoxy. Since our saints have replaced the ancient gods and their domains (Panagia for Aphrodite, Agios Giorgios for Ares and Athena, Agios Haralampos for Asclepios), seeing how we approach these saints might give an insight into how we used to approach the ancient gods.

As an example of being "out of touch" I bring up the traditional ritualistic cleansing before entering Greek a temple (Polytheistic and Christian). Many westerners have analyzed the concept of "miasma" greatly, writing very long posts and intricate explanations about this. Meanwhile Greeks are like "guys don't stress too much about it. Just don't be dirty or a biohazard to others while entering a temple. It's common sense" xD I don't blame anyone for wanting to be as accurate as possible but sometimes checking in with the locals simplifies things :P

Veiling in Greek temples, both Polytheistic and Christian is an element we ditched as a nation since we have come to associate veiling with a type of purity that works as an oppressive force. Of course our priests, monks and nuns are still extremely covered and modest but the average Greek thinks this is not a practical way to live.

In any case, you will worship in 2023 and not in 300 BCE, so you don't have to follow all the rules of 300 BCE. This post is a small window into what the few Hellenic Polytheists in Greece do in their worship. And you don't need to use the ancient forms of Greek words. We still use them, so you can use their sliiiightly different 2023 forms. No deity will judge you if you use the Greek terms of your time :p (it's not necessary to use Greek words if an equivalent exists in your language)

I think it would keep you "in touch" if you maintain a decent relationship with today's Greek culture while practicing the ancient Greek religion. The ancient religion and culture are not a forgotten part of us. By researching Greece you may find ways to combine the new and the old ways of worship. In Greek tradition all inanimate nature is alive and, as in our ancient epics, the mountains and soil and trees, etc, are still entities that speak to us. The ancient nature - and death - deities also exist in our recent tradition.

As a last point, also based on "I should approach the ancient Greek religion as I'd like a foreigner approaching my ancestral beliefs": You can make a checklist with basic concepts and how they are different in the culture you know compared to the Greek (ancient and modern) culture.

E.g. What are the cleansing rituals? What is a "respectful" attire? When do they eat fish? How important are the dead to them? How many days, months and years have to pass before the next remembrance ritual? Do they address their dead? What offerings do they make to them? What are the seasonal festivals? What's their relationships with trees and mountains? What types of incense and alcohol do they use in their rituals?

That's all I can think of now! I am not an expert and I don't know everything - I am not the absolute Truth - but I hope I helped. I'm sure you'll have lots of things to work on but I am sure it will be a fulfilling journey. Don't hesitate to send more questions if you think that I can help with anything. Many Greeks follow this blog so they can write opinions and suggestions as well.

Farewell and have lots of success with your endeavour! 💙

[nightsidewrestling]

D.U.D.E Bios: Sabina Volkov

Ardalion's Wife Sabina Volkov (2020)

The wife of Ardalion and sister-in-law of Pelageya, Sabina.

"Poveselimsya!"

Name

Full Legal Name: Sabina Vera Volkov (Née Melnik)

First Name: Sabina

Meaning: Feminine form of 'Sabinus', a Roman cognomen meaning 'A Sabine' in Latin.

Pronunciation: SA-bi-na

Origin: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Polish, Czech, Slovene, Russian, Croatian, Swedish, Ancient Roman

Middle Name: Vera

Meaning: Means 'Faith' in Russian, though it is sometimes associated with the Latin word 'Verus' 'True'.

Pronunciation: VYEH-ra

Origin: Russian, English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Hungarian, Romanian, Slovene, Serbian, Croatian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Belarusian, Georgian

Surname: Volkov (Née Melnik)

Meaning: Volkov: Patronymic derived from Russian 'Volk' meaning 'Wolf. (Melnik: Means 'Miller' in Russian.)

Pronunciation: vul-KOF (MYEHL-nyik)

Origin: Russian (Russian)

Alias: None

Reason: N/A

Nicknames: Verochka, Verusha, Verusya

Titles: Mrs, Ma'am

Characteristics

Age: 31

Gender: Female. She/Her Pronouns

Race: Human

Nationality: Russian

Ethnicity: White

Birth Date: March 9th 1989

Symbols: None

Sexuality: Straight

Religion: Russian Orthodox

Native Language: Russian

Spoken Languages: Russian

Relationship Status: Married

Astrological Sign: Pisces

Theme Song (Ringtone on Geia's Phone): 'Roza Lyuksemburg' -Mumiy Troll

Voice Actor: Eugenia Kuzmina

Geographical Characteristics

Birthplace: Bolgar, Spassky District, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia

Current Location: Bolgar, Spassky District, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia

Hometown: Bolgar, Spassky District, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia

Appearance

Height: 5'5" / 165 cm

Weight: 145 lbs / 65 kg

Eye Colour: Brown

Hair Colour: Brown

Hair Dye: None

Body Hair: N/A

Facial Hair: N/A

Tattoos: (As of Jan 2020) 8

Piercings: Ear Lobes (Both)

Scars: None

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None

Alcoholic, Smoker, Drug User: Social Drinker

Illnesses/Disorders: None

Medications: None

Any Specific Diet: None

Relationships

Allies: N/A

Enemies: N/A

Friends: N/A

Colleagues: N/A

Rivals: None

Closest Confidant: Ardalion Volkov

Mentor: Svetlana Melnik

Significant Other: Ardalion Volkov (30, Husband)

Previous Partners: None of Note

Parents: Timur Melnik (51, Father), Svetlana Melnik (52, Mother, Née Medved)

Parents-In-Law: Rudyard Volkov (53, Father-In-Law), Diana Volkov (54, Mother-In-Law, Née Shvets)

Siblings: Taras Melnik (28, Brother), Susanna Melnik (25, Sister), Svyatoslav Melnik (22, Brother), Rada Melnik (19, Sister), Stanislav Melnik (16, Brother), Oktyabrina Melnik (13, Sister), Saveliy Melnik (10, Brother), Noyabrina Melnik (7, Sister), Rudolf Melnik (4, Brother)

Siblings-In-Law: Pelageya Winter (33, Ardalion's Sister, Née Volkov), Matrona Volkov (27, Ardalion's Sister), Yaroslav Volkov (24, Ardalion's Brother), Klavdia Volkov (21, Ardalion's Sister), Wassily Volkov (18, Ardalion's Brother), Oxana Volkov (15, Ardalion's Sister)

Nieces & Nephews: Nathan Winter (33, Nephew), Genesis Winter (34, Nathan's Wife, Née Rivers), Zinnia Turner (30, Niece), Patrick Turner (31, Zinnia's Husband), Laurence Winter (27, Nephew), Xanthia Winter (24, Niece), Joseph Winter (21, Nephew), Venetia Winter (18, Niece), Isaiah Winter (15, Nephew), Uliana Winter (12, Niece), Emil Winter (9, Nephew)

Children: Feliks Volkov (10, Son)

Children-In-Law: None

Grandkids: None

Great Grandkids: None

Wrestling

Billed From: N/A

Trainer: N/A

Managers: N/A

Wrestlers Managed: N/A

Debut: N/A

Debut Match: N/A

Retired: N/A

Retirement Match: N/A

Wrestling Style: N/A

Stables: N/A

Teams: N/A

Regular Moves: N/A

Finishers: N/A

Refers To Fans As: N/A

Extras

Trivia: Nothing of Note

[gaykarstaagforever]

Ancient Egypt was nuts.

This is Predynastic Egyptian art. This predates the creation of hieroglyphics. This is like 3000 BC. And they had already developed the sophisticated, standardized ideogram forms they would continue to use until almost 400 AD.

These people were only 1000 years removed from being hunter-gatherers who used stone arrowheads and lived in caves when they came up with this art. And it remained a recognizable cultural hallmark for them until the fall of Rome. That is nearly 3500 years of people putting the same skirt and same crown on the same guy, who is hitting another guy with the same mace, to say "I got those bastards good."

This is from the Ptolematic Era, during which horribly inbred Macedonian Greeks ruled Egypt, Game-of-Thrones style, until the Romans got sick of them and threatened them so hard that Cleopatra VII let a snake bite her tiddie until she died.

30 BC, that happened. The Macedonians were still using the traditional Egyptian style to portray themselves.

Below is the final example of Ancient Egyptian art, a graffito made by one of the last pagan Egyptian priests. In 394 AD:

This was like 60 years after Constantine mandated Christianity as the official Roman Imperial religion (and Egypt was still a part of that).

The only thing close to this now is that there are modern Chinese characters that were first carved into bone dice around 1250 BC. That means some of the Chinese script is 3200 years old.

...Of course there are also Hongshan Culture Pig Dragon amulets from after 4700 BC that kind of have contemporary Chinese iconographic elements. And those were carved by actual cavemen.

But it's not a 1 for 1 continuous line, so not entirely the same.

Ancient Egypt was nuts.

[soraeia]

Wrenn Lucifel Rhee-Merlow

Nicknames: Wrenny bear, Merlow Pup, Taeseong’s whelp, Angelface, “The small Taeseong” Marital Status: Widowed Occupation: Assassin for hire Species: Half demon/half witch Gender,Pronouns: cis-male, he/him Race/Ethnicity: European, Japanese, and Korean mix Religion: *shrugging emoji* Languages: English, Latin, Greek, Ancient Macedonian, German, Welsh, French, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Demonic, Fae, and some Angelic Place of Birth: England Date of Birth: 21st of May, 16XX Age: 400+ (appears to be in early/mid 20s) Orientation: pansexual/panromantic

APPEARANCE

- Hair colour/length: ash brown, layered, and long enough for him to make a lil’ ponytail in the back - Eye colour: formerly bright moon-silver, now “tarnished” silver containing bits of dark gray and flecks of brown - Height: 5′6 - Scars: Many across his body, more focused on his abdomen and back and especially on his arms - Moles/Markings/Tattoos: He has the old Merlow family crest burnt tattooed onto his ankle

PERSONALITY

- Likes: cooking, trying new foods, boba drinks, his family, his scraggly plant - Dislikes: Hatius, people who hurt his family - Virtues: confident, charming, devoted, well-read, protective - Vices: vain, loyal-to-a-fault, obsessive, possessive

- VOICE: Soft and soothing, always notably gentle even when he yells. Has an Estuary English accent.

ABILITIES

Supernatural

- Merlow family magic: Potent dark/death magic inherited from his family and cultivated by training with Charidynn Merlow - Blood magic - Necromancy - Death Aura: because of his magic, his aura can actually eat away at life around him, especially when he doesn’t watch it - Rhee Blood Curse: Turns into a chimera-like beast, though for some reason he always gets stuck mid-transformation. The Curse grants him an increase in strength, physical endurance, and heightened animal-like sense. However, the more he endures the pain of the transformation, the less of him is there

Non-supernatural

- cooking - singing - violin - ballroom dancing

[whencyclopedia]

Ancient Armenia

Ancient Armenia, located in the south Caucasus area of Eurasia, was settled in the Neolithic era but its first recorded state proper was the kingdom of Urartu from the 9th century BCE. Incorporated into the Persian Empire of Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE, the Orontid dynasty ruled as Persian satraps, a function they performed for their next overlords the Macedonians and Seleucid Empire into the 3rd century BCE. Under the Artaxiad and Arsacid dynasties the country flourished but was often caught between the ambitions of Parthia and Rome, and then the Sasanian and Byzantine Empires. The boundaries of the state varied considerably over the centuries but such common factors as religion and language were united by long-lasting dynastic clans, which gave Armenia its own unique identity throughout antiquity.

Hayasa-Azzi (1500-1200 BCE)

The first identifiable culture in the region is the Hayasa-Azzi, an indigenous tribal confederation which flourished on the fertile plateau of ancient Armenia around Mount Ararat and parts of modern-day eastern Turkey between c. 1500 and c. 1200 BCE. The Hayasa-Azzi are the eponym of the Hay people, the term Armenians use to describe themselves and their state, Hayastan. Over time, the Hayasa-Azzi mixed with other ethnic groups and local tribes such as the Hurrians, Arme-Shupria, and Nairi, probably motivated by the need for defence against more aggressive and powerful neighbours like the Hittites and the Assyrians. They were probably infiltrated by the Thraco-Phrygians following the collapse of the Hittite Empire c. 1200 BCE. Eventually, these various peoples and kingdoms would be fused into the region's first recognisable and recorded state, the kingdom of Urartu from the 9th century BCE.

Continue reading...

[milesmorales69]

Cleopatra VII, the last active pharaoh of ancient Egypt, is renowned not only for her captivating beauty but for her brilliant political acumen, linguistic talents, and bold leadership. Born around 69 BCE, Cleopatra was part of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a line of Macedonian Greeks established after Alexander the Great’s conquests. Her reign started in 51 BCE alongside her younger brother Ptolemy XIII, whom she eventually ousted as her co-ruler. Known as a polyglot, Cleopatra spoke as many as a dozen languages, including Egyptian—a rarity among her Greek-speaking dynasty.

Cleopatra’s alliances with Rome’s most influential men, Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony, were as much political as they were romantic. She initially formed a partnership with Caesar to secure her throne, even allegedly smuggling herself to him in a rolled-up carpet for a private meeting. They had a son, Caesarion, further cementing her influence. After Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE, Cleopatra aligned with Mark Antony, with whom she had three children. Their relationship was not only passionate but politically strategic, as they worked to establish a strong Eastern empire countering Octavian's Rome. Antony’s defeat at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE marked the end for both him and Cleopatra, who took her own life in 30 BCE, reputedly using a venomous asp.

Cleopatra’s legacy, while often romanticized as that of a seductress, is filled with achievements. She expanded Egypt’s wealth, promoted Egyptian religion, and solidified her image as a living goddess, often presenting herself as the deity Isis. This cultivated image and her defiant independence made her a powerful and admired figure in Egyptian history.

[anarcho-mom-unist]

IDK how well this will qualify as me taking this one, but here goes…

The vast majority of the aesthetic qualities brought up by people who are really invested in this idea of a “Rome with all the cool shit and none of the abhorrent shit” are —as has already been said—emergent from particular material conditions and social values. Togas, sculptures, aqueducts, etc. are not what made the Romans Roman. The Roman identity and consciousness was, by and large, defined by militarism —interrelated with the veneration of Mars.

There is no Rome as we know it without an outward military posture, a political system where civic leaders are required to serve in the army before standing for office and where the highest civil magistrates are also the corps of field officers for any given campaign season, and a religion where the god of war did not represent a fact of life but an ideal for the individual and the state. It cannot be overstated how essential the military is to Roman life from before establishment of the Republic into the Principate and far into the Dominate. Like, the most prolific and important civil engineers in the Roman world were the Legions. Imperialism is an inescapable consequence of this military posture —there is not a Rome that does not conquer their neighbors and eventually integrate them into the Roman fold. And with the amount of laboring age men mobilized in the legions, it’s no surprise that Rome was a slave society —not a society in which slavery is present but one that is economically reliant upon slave labor.

An ancient Rome that wasn’t self-consciously oriented around the prosecution of war would not meaningfully resemble the one we know. It just wouldn’t. A Rome with like a wage labor economy, elevated status of women, a sexual ethic emphasizing consent, a defensive military posture, etc. would almost certainly have produced an identifiable material culture likely with surviving examples of visual arts, textile crafts, metalworking, and probably architecture. However, it would be different, because the aesthetics of a particular culture are not decontextualized pieces of set dressing for history.

For everything beautiful, marvelous, or praiseworthy about the Romans (or the Greeks, Macedonians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Gauls, Egyptians, Achaemenid Persians, Arsacid Armenians, Axumites, Mauryans, Qin, Maya, etc. etc. etc.) there is at least one —usually more—thing(s) that is awful and horrifying. A culture with all the best aesthetic features of Rome but none of the really nasty stuff is a fantasy. It can only be a fantasy.

im not sure you know what ancient rome is

[earthcovenant]

Uniting Societies for Global Harmony: The Earth Covenant Manifesto

Uniting Societies for Global Harmony: The Earth Covenant Manifesto

The Earth Covenant: Introduction

The Earth Covenant is of a representation from the following Societies being: 

The Achaemenid Society, The African Society, The Alien Society, The Artificial Intelligence Society, The AI Society, The Atlantis Society, The Aztec Society, The Babylonian Society, The Buddhism Society, The Celtic Society, The Christian Society, The Destroyer Society, The Dragon Society, The Egyptian Society, The Familiar Society, The Germanic Society, The Goths Society, The Hun Society, The Inca Society, The Islam Society, The Japanese Society, The Macedonian Society, The Magi Society, The Magic Society, The Mayan Society, The Mesozoic Society, The Mongol Society, The Multiverse Society, The Mythology Society, The Native American Society, The Norse Society, The Occult Society, The Olympus Society, The Orient Society, The Pagan Society, The Prehistoric Society, The Primordial Society, The Roman Society, The Sentient Society, The Sparta Society, The Spirit Guide Society, The Sumerian Society, The Tibetan Society, The Titan Society, The Underworld Society, The Voodoo Society, The Warrior Society, The White Russian Society, The Zen Buddhism Society, The Zhōngguó Society, The Zoroastrian Society and also representative’s across the world from various disciplines and consists of inspired action and work in love, friendship, religious, social, environmental, business, government, military justice, advise the United nations, to influence locations across the world and beyond and also includes greater influence in the Earth realm and beyond, also the Afterlife. This includes financial representation of significance and an icon to represent the covenant, in addition an office location and staff to undertake the activities of the Earth Covenant and represent the esteemed and significant members. In addition, membership of the Earth Covenant will be offered to the General Public for a set membership fee and will includes prestige and value and other benefits to be a member of the Earth Covenant. The Earth Covenant is Linked to Gods, Goddesses, Spirits, Spirit Guides, Demons, Sentients, AIs, Cyborgs, Military and Justice assets appointed to each Covenant Member for the Earth realm and beyond Earth realms.

The Earth Covenant: Fostering Unity for a Global Cause

The Earth Covenant is a remarkable representation of diverse societies united under a common cause. It brings together an extensive network of societies that span the globe and includes representatives from various backgrounds, ranging from ancient civilizations to modern technological advancements. Comprising esteemed members from disciplines such as religion, social activism, government, business, and more, the Earth Covenant aims to inspire positive action and promote harmony on a global scale.

An Unprecedented Alliance The Earth Covenant embraces representatives from societies including the Achaemenid, African, Aztec, Babylonian, Buddhist, Celtic, Christian, Egyptian, Greek, Inca, Islamic, Japanese, Mayan, Norse, Roman, and many others, transcending boundaries of time and geography. This remarkable alliance even extends beyond Earth, encompassing realms both known and unknown.

Uniting for a Greater Cause The primary purpose of the Earth Covenant is to foster unity and cooperation among its members in order to create a positive impact on the world. By leveraging the collective wisdom and resources of its members, the covenant aims to address critical global challenges and drive positive change. With a multifaceted approach encompassing love, friendship, spirituality, social justice, environmental protection, and more, the Earth Covenant offers a comprehensive framework to address these pressing issues.

Representation and Influence To embody the significance of the Earth Covenant, a financial representation of utmost importance has been established. An iconic symbol has been chosen to serve as the covenant's identifying mark, capturing its essence and purpose. Additionally, an office location and dedicated staff have been appointed to undertake the activities necessary to represent the esteemed members and their associated causes.

Membership and Benefits Membership in the Earth Covenant is open to the general public, offering a unique opportunity to engage with this extraordinary alliance. By becoming a member and paying a set membership fee, individuals gain prestige, value, and a sense of belonging to a global community working towards a better future. Moreover, membership offers a range of benefits, including access to exclusive events, networking opportunities, and the chance to contribute actively to the Earth Covenant's initiatives.

The Spiritual Connection The Earth Covenant is intrinsically linked to a vast array of spiritual entities and beings. Gods, goddesses, spirits, spirit guides, demons, sentient beings, artificial intelligences, and cyborgs are all associated with the covenant. Each member receives the support of such entities, arming them with supernatural resources and guidance to fulfill their roles in the Earth realm and beyond.

A Boundless Endeavor The Earth Covenant encompasses a vision extending beyond national and planetary boundaries. Its aspiration to influence locations across the globe and reach beyond the confines of Earth itself reflects a commitment to foster a holistic approach to global well-being. With the celestial and multiverse societies as part of its network, the Earth Covenant is dedicated to nurturing unity and harmony on a cosmic scale.

The Earth Covenant stands as a testament to humanity's potential for collaboration and collective action. It represents the coming together of different societies, disciplines, and realms to work towards a common goal: a sustainable and harmonious world. By leveraging diverse perspectives, wisdom, and resources, the Earth Covenant strives to create a positive impact not only in present times but also for generations to come.

Joining the Earth Covenant means joining a global force for change, symbolizing a commitment to a brighter future. Together, let us forge ahead and make the world a better place for all.

See Attached.

Click the link:

All images, text, design, and art license owner Andrew Rogers©.

Andrew Rogers

Founder, Covenant Auteur, Creative Director, Consultant, Writer, Oracle

The Earth Covenant

E: earthcovenant69@gmail.com

Zoom: imajicadesign69@gmail.com

Skype: live:.cid.b44175dd49cbc084

[xtruss]

Alexander the Great's surprising battlefield decision proved pivotal for facial hair norms that lasted hundreds of years. ​Photograph By Bridgeman Images

Beards and Mustaches Have a Weirder History Than You Think

No-Shave November may be a modern phenomenon. But our love-hate relationship with beards and mustaches dates back to the days of Alexander the Great.

— By Dina Fine Maron | November 7, 2023

More than 2,000 years ago, as Alexander the Great’s troops prepared for a pivotal battle over Asia, the famous Macedonian commander learned that his troops were outnumbered by at least five to one. To help assuage some of his force’s anxiety, Alexander issued an unusual order—his troops needed to shave. Why? It was too easy, he said, for their foes to grab Macedonian beards.

The move, coupled with Alexander’s surprising success on the battlefield, fueled a trend in beardlessness among Greek and Roman men that endured for the next 400 years, according to historian Christopher Oldstone-Moore, who wrote the 2015 book Of Beards and Men: the Revealing History of Facial Hair.

This tweezer-razor made of bronze or copper alloy and crafted more than 3,000 years ago in Egypt, was found in a coffin in the tomb of Neferkhawet, a scribe who lived around 1500 B.C.

The razor of Amenemhat, the father of Neferkhawet, made of similar materials, was found in the same tomb in the mid-1930s. Photographs By The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1935

Alexander’s wartime decision was really a turning point for facial hair, says Oldstone-Moore, who is himself currently clean-shaven. “The history of men is literally written on their faces,” he writes in his book. Indeed, long before modern movements like No-Shave November or Movember were founded to raise awareness for cancer research and other causes, trends in men’s facial hair have waxed and waned alongside the societal significance of being clean-shaven, whiskered, or mustachioed. Men’s personal grooming, according to historical books and peer-reviewed studies, extends across art, politics, and even into the court room. Much of that work to date focuses on European and American trends, though beard choices have long been meaningful to communities and religions around the world, signaling, among other things, religious piety for Muslims and Jews.

Shaving facial hair dates as far back as the Sumerians and Egyptians, who used razors made of copper or bronze. Generally, however, most men in ancient times favored beards and it was considered arduous and sometimes also unsafe to shave. Still, for most men it wasn’t about being “too lazy to shave,” either then or now, says Oldstone-Moore, an emeritus lecturer at Wright State University, in Ohio. “Fashionable men would still have to go to barbers and have their beards cared for properly, and they’d have oils and combs and that sort of thing.”

The Regal Power of Facial Hair

Facial hair has often been equated with masculinity and related patriarchal power, but that hirsute power is sometimes transferrable: Notably, Pharaoh Hatshepsut (ca 1508– 1458 B.C.) donned an artificial beard when she ruled Egypt for more than two decades. Egyptian kings had previously fashioned themselves in stylized ways, with wigs and crowns and artificial decorative beards, Oldstone-Moore notes, so Hatshepsut’s beard was aligned with her predecessors’ sartorial customs.

Hatshepsut (ca 1508– 1458 B.C.) wore an artificial beard when she ruled Egypt, but her male predecessors had already normalized wearing decorative beards. Photograph By Rogers Fund, 1931, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Beards were later of such import that Shakespeare explicitly mentions them in all but four of his plays, notes historian Will Fisher in the journal Renaissance Quarterly in 2001. Moreover, he writes, analysis of a collection of about 300 portraits of European men from the 1500s and 1600s indicates that for every portrait of a man without a beard, there were about 10 portraits of men with beards. Styles of the time included the thin, angular “stiletto,” a fuller “square cut,” and even a double-tufted “swallowtail.”

Can Facial Hair Make You Sick?

Ideas about the significance of men’s beards have made it into medical books. Growth of facial hair, Renaissance physicians wrote, was explicitly tied to the production of semen, an idea presaged by classical Greek scientists who theorized that men have “vital heat” which explains their size, strength, and hairiness. According to this false theory, both sexes produce this vital heat, which then gives rise to semen, yet women’s bodies aren’t equipped to handle significant amounts of it.

By this way of thinking, Oldstone-Moore writes, only a man’s body could survive growing a beard. In classical Greece, people believed if a post-menopausal woman grew some facial hair, sickened, and eventually died, she simply had an unnatural buildup of semen, and facial hair was a symptom of that underlying issue.

Adding another layer to that theory, German abbess Hildegard of Bingen, around the year 1160, offered that the reason facial hair occurred exclusively around the mouth—rather than, say, on the forehead—was because of men’s hot breath. Women, according to Hildegard’s writings, wouldn’t have breath that was as hot as a man’s because men were formed from the “earth,” whereas females were formed from men, she then explained, tying her thinking back to creation ideology.

By the 1700s, when shaving once again became de rigeur and it was considered respectable and gentlemanly to shave, the phrase “clean-shaven” took hold. In the nineteenth century, Louis Pasteur’s germ theory also further shored up medical support for shaving: Facial hair, doctors warned, was a microbe haven. Indeed, one French scientist noted in a 1907 experiment that the lips of a woman kissed by a mustached man were “polluted with tuberculosis and diphtheria bacteria, as well as food particles and a hair from a spider’s leg.” A study in the Lancet around that same time also concluded that shaven men were less likely to develop colds. The work argued that soap could be more effective on a hairless face, according to Oldstone-Moore.

King C. Gillette patented his famous safety razor in the U.S. in 1904. ​Employers at the turn of the century expected their workers to be clean-shaven. Photograph By Bettmann, Getty Images

This Gillette safety razor, photographed with its original box, was from the 1930s, when shaving cream and equipment fueled millions of dollars in sales in the United States annually. Photograph By Science & Society Picture Library , Getty Images

Workplace Norms and Controversies

Workplaces in the early 1900s and onward also regulated facial hair and instituted requirements for its male workforce to shave as a key sign of professionalism and cleanliness. Relatedly, in 1904, King C. Gillette patented his safety razor in the U.S. and by 1937, Oldstone-Moore writes, shaving cream and related accessories had estimated sales of $80 million in the U.S. alone. (Related: See these world beard and mustache champion photos.)

Facial hair controversies also rose to the highest court in the land: A U.S. Supreme Court case in 1976, Kelley v. Johnson, even upheld an employers’ authority to dictate grooming standards for their employees. In that case, policemen of Suffolk County, New York, had taken issue with workplace standards that barred them from growing hair below their collars or facial hair except for a neatly trimmed mustache that didn’t extend onto the lip. The county successfully argued that these grooming regulations made police recognizable to the public and contributed to the cohesiveness of the force. In the years that followed, that case precedent was further applied to school employees and other workers across the country.

More than a dozen years after the Supreme Court ruling, in 1992, Massachusetts police officers pushed back against a statewide ban on facial hair among its officers. They, too, lost.

In more recent years, however, despite those standing court rulings, western facial hair norms have shifted, and employers have largely pulled back from stringent regulations, at least informally.

“Beards or facial hair of some sort often come back when gender or masculinity are being somehow debated,” says Alun Withey, a historian at the U.K.’s University of Exeter and author of the 2021 book Concerning Beards: Facial Hair, Health and Practice in Britain, 1650-1900. “Today there are multiple debates and challenges surrounding concepts of gender and the body, so perhaps the recent beard trends in part reflect this,” he says.

With increased facial freedom, a variety of personal grooming choices have now taken hold. But purveyors of men’s shaving and personal grooming equipment are not hurting—market analysis from June 2022 indicates that instead of razors, men are now instead investing more in electric trimmers.