#mouseion

[emerystellar]

finally finished my ref it has been sitting in my wips for MONTHS

[thoodleoo]

i think visiting some of the mouseion in alexandria's zoos would have been the coolest shit in the world and i would love to drop a whole bunch of people from all over the roman empire there to see it. like imagine being some roman farmer in the countryside and somebody offers to take you to a giant academy and you see these giant ass spotted fuckers with necks like an eel that they use to beat the shit out of each other. you'd be a changed man after that

[yufei]

There’s no HN update this week, since I’m sick with a cold. So I decided to upload here some “Facts and Trivia” that I post for my boosty Mouseion members :3

[zeldahime]

Highway to Pail Day 7

[Day 1] [Prev] [Next] @do-it-with-style-events

February 7: Fire-fly

Crawly and Aziraphale hadn't said anything to each other yet. They both knew the other was there, of course. They kept running into the building, running out again with people, with papyrus, with irreplaceable treasures stored for safekeeping. They passed each other in the smokey hallways, eyes meeting, finding solidarity.

They would talk later, of course, and find out they both had orders explicitly telling them to stay out of this skirmish and go elsewhere, Aziraphale to Jerusalem and Crawly to Memphis. Alexandria, they were both told, was above their pay-grades and a Dominion and a Marquis, respectively, would temporarily be taking over their duties in the city.

But right now the library was burning, and the humans couldn't withstand the flames and the carbon monoxide, and so angel and demon charged once more unto the breach.

Neither of them dared invoke miracles, in case their bosses were watching. One of the humans Crawly rescued passed out in his arms, and he could only hope the one scholars gathered outside fretting knew how to treat smoke inhalation.* Many of the scrolls were badly damaged, and the last seemed unsalvageable to their untrained eyes.

It was the humans who stopped the fire. From the outside, it had appeared the whole building was engulfed in flames, but in fact only the north side and the roof had been. The human scholars had closed and sealed doors as they fled, confining the fire to the mathematical and astronomical collections and some of the lesser-used literature and commentaries. They ran a bucket brigade in the middle of a battlefield, collecting water from the very harbor that was being burned by Caesar's navy.

It was nearly an hour after sunset by the time the fire was extinguished, everyone exhausted and grimy and in dire need of something to drink. Aziraphale and Crawly walked away from the scholars and the scrolls in silence, their feet carrying them along. They didn't speak for a good long while, until in front of a small residential building Aziraphale said:

"Wait here, just a moment. I'll get us some wine."

Crawly did, and Aziraphale emerged with two amphorae and handed one over. They continued their silent walk, eventually turning their backs on the red-orange blaze in the harbor, taking sips from their wine until they happened into one of the gardens of the Mouseion.

Aziraphale, at first thinking the amber lights at his feet were flames, stamped at them instinctively; Crawly pulled him back. "Fireflies, angel," he whispered, "flies. It's safe."

Aziraphale shrank back, horrified. Crawly dragged him to the center of the garden and sat them both down.

They watched the fireflies together and drank for a long while.

*Aziraphale would find out later, and next time he saw Crawly inform him, that the scholar who had passed out got better and remembered only that he was saved from the flames by Erato herself, the Muse to whom he had dedicated his study. "His description of you was rather vivid," he would say, a blush decorating his cheeks, "and not at all something appropriate to repeat in public. You made quite the impression."

More than 2,000 years would pass before Aziraphale would repeat the description, nearly verbatim, to Crowley in private, and Crowley would agree. If Aziraphale had said these things at the time, Crowley-then-Crawly suspected he would have discorporated on the spot simply hearing them from the uptight and unfairly beautiful Aziraphale's lips, never mind that they were someone else's words, and doing that in public would have just been plain embarrassing.

Author's note:

The fire of the Library of Alexandria is one of those myths that just refuses to die and is designed to make me personally irritable. If Livy (well, Plutarch's citation of Livy, that part of his work has been lost) and Cassius Dio are correct in saying books burned during Caesar's attack on the Egyptian fleet in 48 BCE, it almost certainly wasn't the library proper but instead warehouses by the docks being used to store books. If any part of the library itself burned, it was back up and running and beautiful by the time Strabo was kicking around Alexandria around 20 BCE. That's 28 years, so plenty of time to rebuild of course, but hardly a complete loss of a wonder of the world, and Didymus Chalcenterus was writing commentaries pretty much the entire time, so he most likely had access to the Library during those years.

What actually killed the Library of Alexandria was centuries of rulers losing interest, cutting funds, not maintaining the building or collections properly, and crackdowns on intellectual freedom of the scholars who worked and studied there. It took until the 260s, but Rome did eventually kill the Library: not with fire, but with institutional decay. By the Palmyrene Invasion in 270-71, the other point at which people like to go "ooohhhh big fire at the Library of Alexandria!," the Library was basically an empty shell of a building.

It's not fires we have to be worried about in Libraryland (although like, do worry about fires, safety first). It's institutional decay. It's budget cuts. It's politicians who think that anyone who disagrees with them ought to be censored. If you love your library, don't worry about fires: worry about politics and whether your library is getting the institutional support it needs to be the best library it can be.

-gets off my soapbox-

All that said, it is a very sexy story and I do like the idea of Aziraphale and Crowley saving books together. So here we go.

Erato is the Muse of erotic poetry. Mr Smoke Inhalation thought Crawly was the sexiest being he'd ever seen and he was absolutely right (and also carbon monoxide poisoned). His lines about Crawly were raunchy as hell and absolutely engraved in Aziraphale's brain permanently the moment Aziraphale heard them.

And apparently fireflies live just about everywhere except 1) Antarctica, 2) England, and 3) the US Southwest/West Coast/Mountain West. I'd been lead to believe they were only in the American Southeast and had originally planned to write one of the Ineffables going down to Georgia (as made famous by the Dave Matthews CHARLIE DANIELS Band, thank you @/killingmenotatallsoftly) and seeing fireflies for the first time but had to scrap it after an extremely cursory Google.

[mastomysowner]

Redmer Hoekstra

my addition for the Mousion amusesmouseion.wix.com/amuses-mouseion

[mercy-mercie-mercymorn]

agrovember week 2 - hera

this doesn't really fit well with the week's theme but i couldn't settle on anything else. a part of my ancient alexandria period piece from a non-cynthia pov (gasp!) that will almost definitely be changed later. coherent puzzles are hard to write.

full thing under the cut! (light blood/violence tw)

They had kept Zosime for five days. 

They tortured her husband and ransacked the luggage, stripping out every flake of gold and bloodying Raneb’s nose when he tried to keep the gifts for his mother-in-law safe. The bandits donned their clothes and laughed about it around the fire. A man with scarred arms and foul breath wore Raneb’s temple garments. Another, a scrawny boy looking to impress his betters, strutted about in Zosime’s vivid red dress, wailing a sultry song to the drunken men. 

At night, Zosime was caged like an animal. During the day, the brute in charge took her into the ruins, tossed her bag of supplies at her feet, and had her work by torchlight. Though he’d forbidden his men from touching her, he’d slap her to the floor if she spoke out of turn. 

She wanted to see them all dead. 

Gods bless her husband, he was still alive. They had only a few moments alone over the last days, but he still clutched her face in his hands, looked at her through one swollen eye, and asked her with a split lip, “Did they hurt you, my love?” 

In the dark, she prayed that the gods strike the men down. Isis, Sekhmet, Neith, Satet, give your blessing, give your strength…

Until they delivered their justice, she would continue the work. They’d brought her here because she was the sharpest mind in the Mouseion—bar Phaidonos himself. She’d show them just how cunning she really was. 

What she knew, in summary, was they needed someone with a brain to solve the puzzles in the ruins. They had a courier who could fetch any materials she needed from the Mouseion within the day. Their orders arrived the same way. The underlings were barely kept in line; they were a few groups of sellswords corralled by the man in charge. He carried himself with the surety of a military man, and when he thought no one was looking, he limped. 

Zosime wrote her notes in a cipher based on her mother tongue, Nubian. Only one man could read, and he wasn’t the one who breathed down her neck as she read over a half dozen scrolls trying to find out what plant some long-dead warlord tended to in his retirement. She’d tried to send a message to the library by hiding a scrap of papyrus in one of the texts she didn’t need anymore. 

When it slipped out, they made her watch as they pressed red-hot metal into Raneb’s skin. 

She’d been keeping track of their shifts, which ones fought when the other took their rations, which ones got too drunk during the night. And it seemed like someone else had too. 

Beneath the moon’s thin sliver, the svelte shadow went nearly unseen. The men on guard duty around the perimeter were looking longingly at the men around the fire, not at the edges of camp. Zosime its only witness, the figure approached, creeping around piles of rubble and stone pillars stripped of their paint and invading brush. 

Zosime sat up, staring intently at the approaching stranger, willing Isis to weaken the shadows just enough for her to know—

With the tip of her finger aloft, a tiny flame sparked, glinting off the golden eyes of Phaidonia. 

Phaidonia and her brother, Phaidonos, were strange. Most men were too busy trying to woo the scholar’s beautiful sister to notice how she looked at the world. Like she was able to burn it down at any moment. Phaidonos had knowledge beyond his years and a private collection to rival the library itself. He was sharper than any man in the city, and had never succumbed to the prejudice that had isolated Zosime before they’d met. He’d always respected her, even. 

Still, she’d never expected his kid sister to be here, of all places. 

Phaidonia hurried to the bars of Zosime’s cage. “Gods, what did they do to you? I’ll kill them,” she whispered. The flame on her index finger cast menacing shadows on the other side of her face. 

“What are you doing here?” Zosime demanded, as softly as she could manage. 

Phaidonia lifted the other index finger to her lips, glaring. She rummaged through her peplos and fetched a few pins. The fire was then extinguished as she moved to the lock. Zosime heard the soft clicking as the woman fiddled with it, then what felt like a startlingly loud click as the lock opened. The cage door swung open softly.  

When they crept away from the cage, Phaidonia headed away from the ruins, while Zosime made straight for it. The other woman pursed her lips and followed only because she had something to say: “What are you doing?” Zosime entreatingly grabbed the woman’s arm. “They want what’s down there, but I’ve almost figured it out. Get Raneb, please.” Phaidonia stared at her appraisingly. “I’m not talking you out of this, am I?” she muttered, primarily an exercise in rhetorical questions. She withdrew two knives from the folds of her peplos and handed one off. Zosime had never used a knife, not like this. Her fingers, stiff from the cold desert night, sat awkwardly around the hilt. With a sigh, Phaidonia bodily adjusted her grip and then led her into the ruins. 

As soon as they’d rounded the corner, she lit one of the torches on the wall. Though Zosime yearned to ask why Phaidonia could control fire like an extra limb, there wasn’t time. 

“I’ll be back in a bit,” promised Phaidonia. “Hide unless I announce myself. Raneb will be safe with a friend of mine, and we’ll meet him after. Try not to die before I get back, otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it from my brother.” 

She didn’t wait for a reply, dipping back out into the night with the surety of Neith. Zosime took the torch and dove into the darkness. The men had scrubbed away the painted protective spells on the threshold of the passageway into the depths. She’d thought it was a superstition until the scrawny one took a wrong step and corpse beetles poured from the walls. Phaidonia and her fire only made it more clear that magic was real.

The words incised in the stone walls were not spells, however. They were questions. In the year of the Great Flood, which Sobek brought joyfully, what was his sacred son fed? Can Ma’at exist without Isfet? Both were followed by a series of mathematical problems she’d solved, albeit not without grinding her teeth flat in the process. History was her specialty and philosophy her best friend’s, but math never captured her interest (or that of her childhood tutor, for that matter). 

For each problem, she’d had to arrange ushabti in the large central room. Each star in the constellation on the floor had a number, and careful trial and error had revealed the answers to the questions that were too faded to make out, worn smooth by persistent condensation dripping through the cracks in the limestone. And the philosophy one, too. How was she supposed to know if her answer aligned with the builder’s? 

The whole thing felt rather like a game. There were no honored dead for the ushabti to serve, no riches to warrant all the spells and traps. But there was a reason she was here, and a reason that a curled-up skeleton rotted in the next passageway. 

Her work had paused beyond the unfortunate explorer. At some point, he’d offered his blood to the altar of an inscrutable sphinx. His blood stained her open maw, making her appear even more like a gorging lion. Zosime had carefully taken samples of the men’s blood—it had taken hours to convince the soldier in charge to forfeit even a drop—and fed the sphinx. It didn’t activate until she’d cut herself on the sharp blade hidden on the roof of the sphinx’s mouth. She’d answered the riddle that had sprawled across the dais where the creature perched on her leonid haunches: What do I crave more than your wits? 

Miraculously, it had sat up when she fed it, a house cat intrigued by an errant bug. The ex-soldier let free an ugly chain of swears as the sphinx turned her face to one side, looking towards the doorway of another room full of nonsense. 

And that was how it went: she’d piece together clues and navigate down and down into the earth. As she went on, she lit cold torches, hoping to lead Phaidonia to the very last puzzle. 

When they’d unearthed the place, the brute overseeing her had let out a strangled noise. Indeed, the treasure here made up for each empty chamber. Torchlight glinted off every spare golden bauble. She’d forced the men to consult with their leader—the one who was too important to wait in a ruin out in the desert—and felt vindicated when he agreed with her on leaving everything of value in place. Even fools wouldn’t cross the dead, not in a place that breathed magic. 

Zosime felt so cold that she thought her breath ought to mist in the air as she placed the torch in some excessively gilded goblet. She crossed to the coffin in the center of the room. It should’ve had a death mask on its lid, even just a painted board, but it was blank. 

The tomb of Alexander the Great, said the scrawny one. 

Ramses II’s secret lover, posited the scarred man. 

Someone we shouldn’t rouse, the boss decided. 

Zosime took the knife Phaidonia had given her and began to pry open the coffin lid. 

[man-down-in-hatchet-town]

Thoroughly Unhinged Pulp Musicals Crack Theory: Margaret IS Urania

Okay so this is all very wild but I wrote here about Kal's name and the Antikythera connection reminding me of Kalliope (shout out to @its-short-for-jackalope for figuring out that Matt's using the K spelling), and about how this could possibly link Kal (and maybe Margaret) to the Greek Gods. And well, Jack and I have been losing our minds chatting and that gave me this goofy but very fun idea. (Theory under the cut.)

If we theorize that Kal is Kalliope, and also the same species as Margaret and the Traveler... then wouldn't it make sense to assume that Margaret and the Traveler are Muses as well? After all, they are notably both women, on top of having godlike powers and apparently being timeless.

But which Muses are they? I'd say the Traveler is most likely Polyhymnia--the internet can't seem to agree on any universal rule for depicting her but some common tropes include white clothing and a cloak, which matches up with Jackie's Traveler character art. Also, alongside being the Muse of hymns and sacred poetry she is the Muse of agriculture, and the first thing we ever see the Traveler do is grow an entire ecosystem.

But most importantly Margaret has to be Urania, the Muse of astronomy herself. This fits with her connection to the moon and knowledge of astronomy, math, and science. When we visit her penthouse in the Great Moon Hoax, Matt even mentions how she has all of these "models of planets spinning," matching up with the orbs and astronomical gear Urania is often depicted with. (If we wanna get really down in the weeds, he also describes the place as "like a museum," and, uh, guess where we get that word. From the greek word "mouseion," which indicated a place dedicated to/belonging to the muses, essentially one of their "homes." If this theory does turn out to be true, then Matt and I are going to have to have some words because this being an actual clue would be INSANE.) (Shout out to Jack for reminding me to look at the description of the apartment. Partner-in-fandom-insanity-crime, as ever.)

(Also this theory makes "Urania Propitia" simultaneously funnier and somehow even more emotional. Like, yeah the Muse of astronomy really is favoring Maria Cunitz at that very moment. Our girl made it big.)

But then what brought them to where they are now? Polyhymnia traveling alone and sending her sister through time and space, Urania seemingly exiled with no memory of her past, and Kalliope on a very special voyage through the Sargasso Sea...

And where are the other six?

[transgenderer]

museum (n.)

1610s, "the university building in Alexandria," from Latin museum "library, study," from Greek mouseion "place of study, library or museum, school of art or poetry," originally "a temple or shrine of the Muses," from Mousa "Muse" (see muse (n.)). The earliest use in reference to English institutions was of libraries for scholarly study (1640s); the sense of "building or part of a building set aside as a repository and display place for objects relating to art, literature, or science" is recorded by 1680s.

[diceriadelluntore]

Puntatori

Nel 1891, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle pubblica il primo dei 56 racconti con protagonisti Sherlock Holmes e John H. Watson. Il titolo è Uno scandalo in Boemia ed è, non solo a mio parere, una delle avventure più belle del detective londinese e del suo amico medico reduce di guerra. In particolare, questo racconto ha tre particolarità: la prima è che fu il primo, sulle pagine del The Strand, illustrato dalla matita elegante di Sidney Paget; la seconda, è che uno dei personaggi centrali è Irene Adler, cantante d’opera, avventuriera e amante dell’uomo che si presenta nello studio di Baker Street per chiedere aiuto, Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, erede al trono di Boemia. La Adler finirà per raggirare il nostro eroe, tanto che il Dottor Watson senza malcelare la sua soddisfazione dirà che Holmes è “fallace di fronte all’arguzia di una donna”. Ma il terzo punto è quello che è davvero interessante: Holmes chiede a Watson di prendere notizie su questa Adler dal suo schedario, “un sistema di catalogare ogni trafiletto riguardante nomi e fatti notevoli, cosicché era difficile che venisse nominato qualcosa o qualcuno su cui Holmes non avesse qualcosa da aggiungere. Nel caso specifico trovai la biografia della signora infilata tra quella di un rabbino ebreo e quella di un comandante di stato maggiore, autore di una monografia sui pesci di mari profondi” (Sherlock Holmes, Tutti I Racconti, a cura di Luca Lamberti, Einaudi, 2011).

Holmes aveva uno schedario, che usava come un database, una sorta di indice in versione libera, che è uno dei punti più eccentrici che Dennis Duncan, professore di Inglese all’University College di Londra, racconta in questo splendido saggio, che è stato il mio compagno di viaggio nelle gite della settimana scorsa

Duncan racconta la storia di una delle più grandi invenzioni della conoscenza: l’indice analitico. Infatti, prima dell’indice a noi più comune, cioè “l’elenco dei titoli che distinguono le varie parti in cui l’opera è suddivisa o dei titoli dei brani, dei componimenti poetici che vi sono raccolti, talora soltanto della numerazione progressiva dei capitoli, disposti nell’ordine di successione con indicata a lato la pagina in cui si trovano; può essere posto prima o dopo il testo” (voce Indice, Enciclopedia Treccani)”, e che sembrerà strano è pratica comune solo da un 150 anni in editoria, l’umanità culturale si è interrogata spesso sulla costruzione di un indice analitico, o sommario, cioè un elenco strutturato di parole o locuzioni, le voci, trattate o citate all'interno di un testo e corredate da uno o più indicatori, i puntatori, che rimandano alle parti di testo dove è menzionata la voce relativa. 

Tutto nasce, tra Storia e Leggenda, ad Alessandria, presso la maestosa Biblioteca del Mouseion, quando Callimaco di Cirene, che erroneamente ne è considerato bibliotecario (la storia è particolare, è probabile che non lo fu mai, si sa che fu Zenodoto di Efeso il bibliotecario storicamente attestato nel III secolo a.C.) si pose una domanda di fronte alla leggendaria ricchezza dei testi di quella biblioteca: tra quelle centinaia di opere, come era possibile trarre velocemente un’informazione? La sua soluzione furono i Pinakes, una sorta di prima opera bibliografica: pinax vuol dire tavola, in senso stretto le tavolette dove si scriveva, e l’opera di Callimaco, di cui non ci sono arrivati che frammenti da altre opere che la citano, doveva essere organizzata per genere di opere (retorica, legge, epica e tra cui il miscellaneo, dove si parla di plaukuntopoiika, che è l'arte di cucinare le focacce), disponendo gli autori in ordine alfabetico, da Alfa a Omega, aggiungendo piccole informazioni: il patronimico, il luogo di nascita, l’epiteto, la professione, dati biografici, spesso un elenco delle opere o un incipit. Questo fu il primo passo di una storia che passa per le corrispondenze medioevali, che aiutavano a cercare nella Bibbia i riferimenti per i sermoni e le prediche, ai numeri di pagina (la cui prima apparizione avviene solo nel 1470), alle dispute sull’uso dell’indice, visto come un’escamotage per non leggere davvero i libri, fino a cose sorprendenti, come l’uso satirico degli indici analitici, nel’700, per attaccare avversari accademici, politici e che fanno scoprire personaggi sconosciuti adesso come William King, che scriverà cose meravigliose attraverso indici satirici di altre opere di suoi contemporanei. E se la cosa può sembrare antica e melanconica, vi scrivo come inizia la pagina di Google che si intitola “In che modo la Ricerca Google organizza le informazioni”: È come l’indice alla fine del libro, con una voce per ogni parola visualizzata su ciascuna pagina web che indicizziamo. Quando indicizziamo una pagina web, la aggiungiamo alle voci per tutte le parole che contiene. Il mega indice del mondo moderno insomma. O di tutto quello che il mondo mette nel web.

Tra romanzi tutti giocati sull’indice (uno su tutti, il magnifico Fuoco Pallido di Nabokov), passando per monasteri innovativi del XIII secolo, fino a politici conservatori, scrittori narcisi e gli ebook, un viaggio straordinario su come, dice Duncan, “abbiamo imparato con fatica e ostinazione a rendere leggibile il grande e vitale caos di conoscenza che ogni giorno produciamo”.

[falseandrealultravival]

The etymology of MUSIC and various arts (Essay)

Of course, music in English means "music", but this name somehow reminds me of the muses in Greek mythology, the nine goddesses who are guardians of art. After doing some research, I found the following statement:

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

music

Many people think of music when they think of art. Music is a very familiar word for Japanese people, and its etymology goes back to the muse (musa) of Greek mythology. In other words, the origin of the word is the Greek word mousike, which means "human activities that partake of the grace of the Muses" (music, poetry, etc.).

On the other hand, the word museum, which means 'museum', is also derived from the Greek mouseion, which means 'temple of the Muses'. Also, when we say art museum in English, we think of it as an art museum, and this expression is naturally associated with muse. In other words, the three Japanese words ``music'', ``museum'', and ``art museum'' all have a common etymology when compared with the corresponding English expressions. is clear.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

The above description has satisfied my curiosity, but to continue my association a little further, "art" does not necessarily follow "norms of life." Japanese Manga Artist: Osamu Tezuka's "Barbora:ばるぼら", the youngest daughter of a muse appears in front of the main character writer in the form of a homeless person, empowering his artistic creation. But on the other hand, "Barbora" was also a witch. Art has a guardian deity full of contradictions.

These facts are brilliantly explained by Nietzsche with the metaphor of "the Apollonian and the Dionysian". "Apollonian" means positivity, righteousness, strength, health, etc., and "Dionysian" means negativity, unrighteousness, weakness, unhealthy, etc. It is true that Apollo, the sun god, is a model student of the gods who are "unshaded and fair" (Zeus chose a goddess with a long history), but Dionysus is "a grape and a wine made from it." He is the god of wine, and he is a sly god who desires to drink to the point of intoxication, and his father is also Zeus. But mother is a human woman.

Comparing the two representative arts, music and painting, it seems that there are many Apollo-like works and composers in the genre of music. I don't often hear of people composing while drowning in alcohol. (Perhaps Berlioz, who composed the Symphony Fantasie, seems to be a rare example.) On the other hand, in the case of painters, I think there are many Dionysus-like people, including Utrillo, who was an alcoholic. In other words, although it seems that they do not drink in front of the staff paper, I think there are many painters who drink in front of the canvas.

…Nevertheless, the muse will lend strength to both arts (even if the vectors are opposite).

[idv-news-boi]

29. How do you want your body to be treated after your death?

From this prompt

Laurence// It’s rare for us to leave remainings after we ‘wither’… Which is a phase when we really die and not get resurrected once again… It usually happens unexpectedly… or by a deadly, anti-flower weapon that is long gone and banned centuries ago.

Laurence// But if I’m somehow as resilient and long-lasting as senior Yan-Yan,,,(who left one of her goat horns as her remaining after she banished during a Chrysanthemum battle at the Civil War-) then… just bury it.

Laurence// And with no container. I don’t want to be displayed in the hall of ‘heroes in action’ from the Atlantic Mouseion…-

Laurence// I think the most precious things to remember me are pictures and memories!

[yellingmetatron]

So, I was reading an article debunking misconceptions about the Mouseion (better known as the Library of Alexandria), and I needed to share this because it's the funniest thing:

Again, of these scholars, only Eratosthenes is known for doing anything that we would consider “science”, the others were devoted to literary and textual analysis, poetry and grammar.  Of course, these scholars were polymaths and most of them would probably have ranged over many topics including areas of mathematics and natural philosophy; Eratosthenes himself was nicknamed “Beta” because he covered so many disciplines he was something of a jack of all trades and master of none, so his colleagues mocked him as “Number 2” in all subjects. That aside, the idea that the Mouseion was a major centre of scientific speculation is at best an exaggeration and largely yet another fantasy.

Emphasis and bolding mine. I just find it hilarious that we have 2200 year old academic cattiness on record, and it's calling someone Beta of all things. Full article here for those interested.

[journeyofdeondra]

Welcome to Deondra's Ocean of Fun! 🐚

This little corner of the internet is dedicated to celebrating the amazing of you, my D! Let's dive in and explore a sea of fun facts, favorite things, and some special birthday surprises coming soon.

Get ready to ride the waves of laughter, heartwarming memories, and maybe even a few embarrassing moments (don't worry Deondra, they're all in good fun!). ☀��

P.S. Keep your eyes peeled for some hidden treasures along the way...

Dear Dudunyiee..

This little page is a way to show you just how much sunshine you bring into my life. It's a collection of things that remind me of you - your laugh, your quirks, and all the amazing memories we've shared.

But, there might be a few birthday surprises hidden amongst the waves too.. 🩵

So, explore, reminisce, and maybe even shed a happy tear or two. (Don't worry, yayunaa won't tell anyone!)

Get ready for a wave of love coming your way! So many people wanted to wish you a happy birthday, it felt like collecting seashells on the beach – there were just too many good ones!

[#special thanks to : kak dion, kak bagas, sun-keilyn, bapak joko, narnian members, cavetown members, mouseion members, kitcatto members for the good wishes for Deondra] 🩵

You're like a little lighthouse, shining brightly and guiding everyone around you. You have this amazing way of making people feel happy and cared for, and it's truly inspiring.

Just know that on your birthday, there are a ton of people celebrating you and sending you their best wishes. You're a ray of sunshine in our lives, and we all love you dearly.

Happy Birthday, Dudunyieee! 🩵

[mouseionsblog]

Let's raise a glass and celebrate our victory at the 7th "The Muses' Soccer" event with this pun-tastic sentence: "We've dribbled, we've passed, we've shown soccer flair, 'The Muses' Soccer' - a victory to share! Seven events conquered, a team that's on fire, Our opponents were toast, their defense grew tired. Let's celebrate loud, this achievement's no myth, These Muses can win, with every kick and with wit!

Anyway, did someone order a champion from Chelsea? Here they are, freshly baked!

They didn't just play, they dominated! Racking up two wins during "The Muses' Soccer" wasn't enough for these champions. They faced off against Manchester United in a nail-biting penalty shootout and emerged victorious! Talk about persistence paying off! Let's shower Hanabi, Handayu, Janelle, Kalisa, Libiela, Nayesha, Pristine, and Yorine with congratulations! They have won all the fans' hearts and also the heart of their coach, Mouchico.

Not quite gold, but definitely shining bright, here's our second-place finisher!

Manchester United put up one heck of a fight! They dominated two matches during "The Muses' Soccer," but even the best falter sometimes. Their penalty shootout with Chelsea might not have gone their way, but that doesn't take away from their incredible performance throughout the entire tournament! These champions finished strong, and that's something to be proud of. Let's hear a round of applause for Blaise, Cathla, Chekara, Gwyn, Lunyra, Mavou, Shanavie, Sheryl, and Zemira! You may not have the trophy, but you've definitely won Skipper's heart. Remember, in the beautiful game of The Mouseion's event, every team has its day, and yours is just around the corner!

Step aside silver, because here comes our bronze medal machine!

Looks like someone stole the show (and maybe Aillet's heart?) with a whole win during "The Muses' Soccer"! Huge congrats to Aizen, Alruna, Narcissa, Ruthea, Sadapie, Shoumi, Sitha, and Yora for battling their way to 3rd place! Let's give them a shoutout for their amazing performance!

Fourth place finishers, but definitely champions in our hearts!

They may not have brought home the trophy, but they definitely stole Coach Raivyn's heart! Every member of the team - Adrey, Aira, Bryn, Florine, Karenina, Keiryl, Syana, and Zirathilana - brought their A-game to "The Muses' Soccer." Even without a win on the board, their dedication and positive energy made the whole event a blast! Let's give them a round of applause for their incredible sportsmanship!

Time to claim your bragging rights! Grab your HD picture and certificate using this Google Form link.

[jaafarshaikh2573]

The Evolution and Significance of Museums

Museums are vital institutions that serve as repositories of history, culture, and knowledge, offering the public access to artefacts, art, and information that encompass the breadth of human experience. Over centuries, museums have evolved from private collections to public institutions, playing an essential role in education, cultural preservation, and community engagement. This article explores the history, importance, and contemporary relevance of museums, emphasizing their enduring impact on society.

Historical Overview

Early Beginnings: The concept of the museum dates back to ancient civilizations, though it is markedly different from what we recognize today. One of the earliest examples is the Mouseion of Alexandria in ancient Egypt, established in the 3rd century BCE. This institution was more of a research centre than a museum but set a precedent for the collection and study of knowledge.

Renaissance Cabinets of Curiosity: The modern museum's roots lie in the Renaissance period (14th to 17th century), characterized by a renewed interest in art, science, and exploration. Wealthy collectors and scholars created "cabinets of curiosity" or "Wunderkammern," which were rooms filled with a variety of artefacts, from natural history specimens to works of art. These collections were private but occasionally opened to the elite and served as precursors to public museums.

The Enlightenment Era: The Enlightenment (18th century) brought about a surge in scientific inquiry and an emphasis on knowledge dissemination. During this period, public museums began to emerge, reflecting the era's ideals of rationality and education.

The British Museum: Founded in 1753, the British Museum was one of the first national museums open to the public. It set a standard for future institutions with its vast collections spanning natural history, art, and cultural artefacts from around the world.

The Louvre: Established in 1793 during the French Revolution, the Louvre in Paris transformed from a royal palace to a public museum. It aimed to democratize access to art and culture, embodying the revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

19th and 20th Century Expansion: The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed a significant expansion in the establishment of museums worldwide. This period saw the rise of industrialization and colonialism, which influenced museum collections, often incorporating artefacts acquired from colonies and expeditions.

Smithsonian Institution: Founded in 1846 in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian Institution became a major educational and research complex. It houses multiple museums and galleries, covering various fields from American history to aerospace.

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Established in 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City became a cultural landmark. It boasts extensive collections of art from around the world, offering a comprehensive overview of human artistic achievement.

The Role and Importance of Museums

Preservation of Heritage: Museums play a crucial role in preserving cultural and natural heritage. They safeguard artefacts, artworks, and specimens that might otherwise be lost to time, ensuring future generations can learn from and appreciate these treasures.

Conservation Efforts: Museums employ conservation techniques to maintain the condition of their collections. This includes climate control, restoration processes, and preventive measures to protect items from deterioration.

Education and Research: As educational institutions, museums provide resources for learning and scholarship. They offer educational programs, exhibits, and materials that support both formal and informal education. Many museums also conduct significant research in fields such as history, archaeology, and natural sciences.

Exhibits and Public Programs: Museums create engaging exhibits that make complex subjects accessible to the public. Interactive displays, guided tours, workshops, and lectures enhance the educational experience, catering to diverse audiences.

Academic Collaborations: Museums often collaborate with universities and research institutions, contributing to scholarly research and publications. Their collections serve as primary sources for academic studies, enriching our understanding of various disciplines.

Cultural Identity and Social Cohesion: Museums help foster a sense of identity and community by celebrating cultural diversity and highlighting shared histories. They promote social cohesion and understanding, creating spaces where people can reflect on their heritage and explore different cultures.

Community Engagement: Many museums engage with local communities through outreach programs, partnerships, and events. They serve as cultural hubs, offering a platform for community expression and dialogue.

Representation and Inclusivity: Modern museums strive to be inclusive and represent diverse perspectives. Efforts are made to include marginalized voices and narratives, challenging traditional interpretations and fostering a more comprehensive understanding of history and culture.

Economic Impact: Museums contribute significantly to the economy. They attract tourism, generate employment, and often stimulate local economies through associated businesses such as cafes, gift shops, and tourism services.

Tourism and Cultural Capital: Museums are major tourist attractions, drawing visitors from around the world. Cities with renowned museums often benefit from increased tourism, which supports local hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.

Employment Opportunities: Museums provide a wide range of job opportunities, from curators and conservators to educators and administrative staff. They also offer internships and volunteer positions, supporting career development in the cultural sector.

Contemporary Challenges and Innovations

Accessibility and Inclusivity: Modern museums aim to be more inclusive and accessible, reaching broader audiences through digital technology, improved physical accessibility, and programs that cater to diverse communities.

Digital Access: The rise of digital technology has transformed how museums operate and engage with the public. Virtual tours, online collections, and interactive apps allow people to access museum content remotely, breaking down geographical barriers.

Physical Accessibility: Museums are enhancing physical accessibility by improving facilities for people with disabilities. This includes wheelchair ramps, tactile exhibits, and sign language interpretation, ensuring a more inclusive experience for all visitors.

Ethical Considerations: Issues of provenance and the repatriation of artefacts have come to the forefront. Many institutions are re-evaluating their collections and working with communities to address historical injustices.

Provenance Research: Museums are increasingly conducting provenance research to trace the origins of their collections. This helps ensure that artefacts were acquired ethically and legally, respecting the rights of source communities.

Repatriation Efforts: In response to growing calls for justice, many museums are repatriating artefacts to their countries of origin. This process involves dialogue and collaboration with source communities, recognizing their rights and heritage.

Sustainability: Museums are focusing on sustainability, both in their operations and in the themes they explore. Exhibits on climate change, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices are becoming more common.

Green Practices: Museums are adopting green practices to reduce their environmental impact. This includes energy-efficient lighting, sustainable building materials, and waste reduction initiatives.

Educational Initiatives: Through educational initiatives, museums raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage sustainable practices among visitors. Exhibits and programs highlight the importance of conservation and the impact of human activity on the planet.

Technological Integration: Technology is transforming how museums operate and engage with the public. Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and interactive displays enhance the visitor experience, while digital archives and online exhibits expand accessibility.

Virtual and Augmented Reality: VR and AR technologies allow museums to create immersive experiences. Visitors can explore ancient civilizations, historical events, and natural environments in ways that were previously impossible.

Interactive Displays: Interactive displays and multimedia installations engage visitors in dynamic ways. Touchscreens, interactive maps, and digital storytelling enhance the educational experience, making learning more interactive and enjoyable.

Digital Archives: Digital archives make museum collections accessible to a global audience. Online databases, digitized artefacts, and virtual exhibits allow people to explore museum content from anywhere in the world.

Conclusion

Museums, including the Etihad Museum, are indispensable institutions that bridge the past and present while inspiring future generations. Their evolution from private collections to public educational and cultural hubs underscores their enduring significance. As they continue to adapt to contemporary challenges and opportunities, museums such as the Etihad Museum remain crucial in preserving our collective heritage, fostering cultural understanding, and enriching human knowledge. By embracing inclusivity, ethical practices, sustainability, and technological innovation, the Etihad Museum and other museums can continue to thrive and make a profound impact on society. The Etihad Museum, in particular, exemplifies how museums can celebrate national heritage and educate the public on historical events. Through its dynamic exhibits and commitment to accessibility, the Etihad Museum ensures that the legacy of the past informs and inspires future generations.

[almackey]

In Dealing with Pro-Slavery Border States, This Union Colonel Tested Federal Limits When It Came to Emancipation

A so-called ‘fugitive slave’ arrives at a Union military encampment and purported freedom, in an illustration by Edwin Forbes. (Mouseion Archives/Alamy Stock Photo) This article comes from the Summer 2023 issue of America’s Civil War magazine. “In November 1862, Marcus Thompson escaped from a farm in Mount Sterling, Ky., to a nearby Union military camp commanded by Colonel Smith D. Atkins of the…