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Roman-Era Inscription Found at Building Demolition Site in Bulgaria
A fragment of a marble slab with an inscription, believed to date from the time of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, has been found at the site of a demolished house in Bulgariaâs city of Plovdiv.
Septimius Severus was Roman Emperor from 193 to 211 CE.
The find was made at the site of a house at 17 Metropolitan Panaret Street that had been demolished. The developer contacted the Regional Archaeological Museum in Plovdiv.
The fragment measures 70 x 40cm and was found at a depth of about 1.6 metres.
Archaeologist Dessislava Davidova told Bulgarian National Radio that over the centuries, the marble had been used as part of building material.
BNR reported that Dr Nikolai Sharankov, a specialist in classical languages and epigraphy, was consulted and said that the fragment was most likely part of an inscription on the pedestal of a statue dating from the time of Emperor Septimius Severus.
The inscription mentions the name of the distinguished citizen Veranius, tribune and high priest of the imperial cult in Philippopolis, an ancient name of Plovdiv in antiquity.
Sharankov said that Veranius most likely belonged to the local Thracian aristocracy, obtained Roman citizenship and was included in the Roman equestrian class and thus began his career in the Roman army and he reached the position of military tribune.
From the inscription it is understood that Veranius organised gladiator fights.
Sharankov said that the dating was done according to the specific font of the inscription, characteristic of the time of Emperor Septimius Severus.
#Roman-Era Inscription Found at Building Demolition Site in Bulgaria#Plovdiv Bulgaria#Roman Emperor Septimius Severus#marble#marble fragment#ancient artifacts#archeology#archeolgst#history#history news#ancient history#ancient culture#ancient civilizations#roman history#roman empire#roman art#ancient art
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The Petelia Tablet, Greek, c.300-200 BCE: this totenpass (a "passport for the dead") was meant to be buried in a human grave; it bears an inscription that tells the dead person exactly where to go and what to say after crossing into the Greek Underworld
Made from a sheet of gold foil, this tablet measures just 4.5cm (a little over 1.5 inches) in length, and although it was found inside a pendant case in Petelia, Italy, it's believed to have originated in ancient Greece. It was meant to aid the dead in their journey through the Underworld -- providing them with specific instructions, conferring special privileges, and granting them access to the most coveted realms within the afterlife.
The Petelia tablet, displayed with the pendant case in which it was discovered
The tablet itself dates back to about 300-200 BCE, while the pendant case/chain that accompanies it was likely made about 400 years later, during the Roman era. It's believed that the tablet was originally buried with the dead, and that an unknown individual later removed it from the burial site and stuffed it into the pendant case. Unfortunately, in order to make it fit, they simply rolled it up and then snipped off the tip of the tablet. The final lines of the inscription were destroyed in the process.
The inverse side of the Petelia tablet
These textual amulets/lamellae are often referred to as totenpÀsse ("passports for the dead"). They were used as roadmaps to help guide the dead through the Underworld, but they also served as indicators of the elite/divine status of certain individuals, ultimately providing them with the means to obtain an elevated position in the afterlife.
The Petelia tablet is incised with an inscription in ancient Greek, and the translated inscription reads:
You will find a spring on your left in Hadesâ halls, and by it the cypress with its luminous sheen.
Do not go near this spring or drink its water. You will find another, cold water flowing from Memoryâs lake; its guardians stand before it.
Say: "I am a child of Earth and starry Heaven, but descended from Heaven; you yourselves know this. I am parched with thirst and dying: quickly, give me the cool water flowing from Memoryâs lake."
And they will give you water from the sacred spring, and then you will join the heroes at their rites.
This is [the ... of memory]: [on the point of death] ... write this ... the darkness folding [you] within it.
The final section was damaged when the tablet was shoved into the pendant case; sadly, that part of the inscription does not appear on any of the other totenpÀsse that are known to exist, so the meaning of those lines remains a mystery (no pun intended).
Lamellae that are inscribed with this motif are very rare. They're known as "Orphic lamellae" or simply "Orphic tablets." As the name suggests, these inscriptions are traditionally attributed to an Orphic-Bacchic mystery cult.
The inscriptions vary, but they generally contain similar references to a cypress tree, one spring that must be avoided, another spring known as the "Lake of Memory," the sensation of thirst, and a conversation with a guardian (or another entity within the Underworld, such as the goddess Persephone) in which the dead must present themselves as initiates or divine individuals in order to be granted permission to drink from the Lake of Memory. They are thereby able to obtain privileges that are reserved only for the elite.
Though the specifics of this reward are often vague, it may have been viewed as a way to gain access to the Elysian Fields (the ancient Greek version of paradise) or as a way to participate in sacred rites; some totenpÀsse suggest that it may have allowed the soul to break free from the eternal cycle of reincarnation. Regardless, the overall objective was likely the same: to obtain a special status and acquire privileges that were inaccessible to most of the souls in the Underworld.
Sources & More Info:
Altlas Obscura: The Ancient Greeks Created Golden Passports to Paradise
The Museum of Cycladic Art: The Bacchic-Orphic Underworld
Bryn Mawr College: Festivals in the Afterlife: a new reading of the Petelia tablet
The Getty Museum: Underworld (imagining the afterlife)
The British Museum: Petelia tablet (with pendant case; chain)
#archaeology#history#anthropology#ancient greece#ancient history#greek mythology#Petelia tablet#Greek mysteries#orphic mysteries#orphism#greek underworld#hades#persephone#anthropology of death#religon#afterlife#tw death#classical antiquity#classical archaeology#ticket to paradise#whoever damaged this#probably#got#a#ticket#to tartarus#instead
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From Frédéric Poulsen, "Le buste du bronze de Cato trouvé à Volubilis", in the journal of the Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres, 1947:
"The first thing which surprises [the viewer] about this admirably preserved bust is how clearly it has retained a certain rustic trace. This is a true country man, like to the wealthy farmers of the agricultural nations of our day. Cato, however, belonged to the stifling circle of the high Roman nobility (which fact is demonstrated above all by the marriages of his sisters and daughter). Here, he appears as the descendant of Cato Priscus, that prototype of the great Roman country manâand the urban life of multiple generations of that family, three of whose representatives held the consulship, has not erased this spirit.
The second great impression [one has] of this visage is the seriousness of its features, in perfect accord with the literary tradition: "It was difficult," Plutarch says (Plut. Cat. Min. 1-2), "to move Cato to laughter, and rare that a smile should appear on his face". He was harsh, tenacious, and, when ill, demonstrated an admirable forbearance.
Adding to the serious expression of those features is the movement of the head: it is turned toward the left shoulder and, at the same time, gently, peacefully inclined; and the movement which tenses the neck muscles, combined with the lines of the mouth, creates an impression of severity, even of unavailability. It is not impossible that the absence of colored stones, which would have once indicated the iris and pupils, contributes to the hardness of the gaze.
At the time of his death, Cato was forty-eight years old, but this portrait speaks of a man who lived a hard life and was aged prematurely by it. It is true that [one contemporary scholar] finds the Cato of this bust younger than the age of his deathâan impression probably due to his observation of the bust's profile, since from that angle the expression is both younger and more peaceful, as if disclosing traces of the features of a young man; it is only by virtue of the large nose, particularly its curve, that a powerful masculine energy is revealed and even emphasized.
But, seen from the front, the face is haggard, the forehead is crossed by deep wrinkles that run parallel to the thick eyebrows, the creases that run down from the lower eyelids, the large and profound furrows of the cheeks, and the great lines between the mouth and chin, all contribute to give the face an expression of pain and age. In my opinion he could well have been a sexagenarian, this great country man with his proud, tranquil expression.
[...]
Even if the portrait from Volubilis dates from as late as ±150 years after Cato's death [the author dates the bust about the time of Domitian or Trajan, ed.], it goes without saying that an older and more contemporary portrait has been copied. This is confirmed when one observes the profile of the bust once more: one sees the tufts of hair in the nape of the neck shaped like long, curved leaves, and stylized in a bladelike form, a mode of stylization characteristic of precisely the period in which Cato lived, ±50 BCE.
[...]
Naturally we might suppose that a certain alteration of the features must have taken place in this transmission from copyist to copyist. [...] Where an artist, from the time of Nero for example, has copied a republican portrait meant for the atrium of a young, newlywed nobleman [an ancestral imago], the result is inevitably a mixture of styles, a circumstance which makes it still more difficult to date many Roman portraits.
Certain points of resemblance, then, may have been diminished in the face of the Volubilis Catoâon the other hand, the artistic effect could have been strengthened by an emphasis on the essential lines and forms of the visage. Happily, the artist appears to have stuck to the veracity of the original, without adding any suggestions of that saintliness or divine inspiration which the writers of the imperial era attribute to Cato, from Seneca to Plutarch."
#cato minor#c#il pourrait ĂȘtre sexagĂ©naire â ce grand paysan Ă l'expression tranquille et fiĂšre. ;;_;;#good to stretch my french a little. also really funny how whipped mr. poulsen obviously is. another one bites the dust
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cao'an (thatched hermitage) and its manichaean remnants in jinjiang, fujian, china. though cao'an is on its surface not too different from other buddist temples, it was also manichaean, and may still be manichaean in secret. it's also one of the last standing historical manichaean places of worship in the world. this place has quite the history, so i placed it under a read more:
manichaeism is a former world religion of babylonian origin, reaching as far west as the roman empire and as far east as han china at its greatest extent. it combines elements of several other prominent religions and philosophies - the most notable factor of this is that it reveres founder mani as the final prophet in a line consisting of zoroaster, the gautama buddha, and jesus christ. it went mostly extinct due to persecution of followers throughout its multi-continent laity. manichaean places of worship were either entirely destroyed or appropriated in other parts of the world. it lasted much longer in china (until ming dynasty times) and still exists in some parts of fujian and zhejiang. these believers prefer to remain private about their current practice. what outsiders know about the religion is solely through historical records; because of its comparative longevity in china, many of those records come from there.
manichaeans tended to draw more from the religious/philosophical influences on manichaeism that were most familiar to them. (for example, while manichaeism in jerusalem may have looked more abrahamic, manichaeism in istakhr may have looked more zoroastrian.) in china, manichaeism assimilated to both buddhism and taoism; in the former case, much of it was adapted to be stylistically buddhist, and mani received the title of "buddha of light" and a life story resembling the gautama buddha's.
cao'an was constructed during the song dynasty era (specifically in the 960s), when persecution against manichaeans had been ongoing from emperor wuzong of tang's suppression of all foreign religions. (the same policies had affected zoroastrians, eastern syriac christians, and buddhists, but continued for manichaeans after.) at this time, many manichaean temples had buddhist or taoist affiliations, or disguised themselves as buddhist or taoist only. it became officially buddhist after manichaeism was banned in 1368. since abandoned, it was revived for explicit buddhist usage for a short period in the early 20th century. it's preserved as a cultural monument today.
cao'an has managed to preserve remnants of its manichaean affiliations. one is that, instead of a nianfo phrase usually seen in chinese buddhist temples, an inscription on a nearby stone dating to the 15th century reminded worshippers of "purity, light, power, and wisdom". this mantra is an adaption of manichaean cosmology in chinese manichaeism. the original stone was destroyed during the cultural revolution but the phrase was re-inscribed on another after. another is a statue that seems to portray the buddha, but is thought to actually portray mani. unlike other portrayals of the buddha, this one has long, straight hair which is worn down, different facial features and hand/head postures, and, at one point, facial hair. (this was filed off in the early 20th century by a buddhist monk to make him look more like the buddha.) it's also consistent with other portrayals of mani in chinese manichaean art.
#china#architecture#details#worship#manichaean#buddhist#shared space#my posts#'Are Manichaeans Ahl al-KitÄb' - the greatest thread in the history of Abbasid forums locked by Harun al-Rashid after 12239 pages of heate
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Differences Between the Southern and Northern Renaissance: A Study Through Jan van Eyck's "Portrait of a Man" (self portrait?)"
Written by ArtZoneStuff, 2024
The Renaissance, a period of cultural rebirth and revival of classical learning, manifested differently in the southern and northern regions of Europe. While both regions shared a common interest in humanism, art, and science, the way these ideas were expressed varied significantly due to differing cultural, social, and economic contexts.
The Southern Renaissance, centered in Italy, emphasized classical antiquity, proportion, perspective, and human anatomy. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Michelangelo (1475-1564), and Raphael (1483-1520) focused on idealized beauty, harmony, and balanced compositions.
In contrast, the Northern Renaissance, which flourished in regions such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Flanders, focused more on meticulous detail, naturalism, and domestic interiors. Northern artists like Jan van Eyck (1390-1441), Albrecht DĂŒrer (1471-1528), and Hieronymus Bosch (?-1516) were known for their detailed and realistic depictions of nature, landscapes, and everyday life. Their work often contained rich symbolism and a focus on surface textures and fine details.
Jan Van Eyck's self portrait
Jan van Eyck's "Portrait of a Man" (Appendix 1), also known as his Self-Portrait from 1433, is a small-scale Dutch portrait measuring 25.9 x 33.1 cm (Google Arts and Culture, n.d.). The man in the painting emerges from a dark background, with his body depicted in three-quarter view. On his head, he wears a red chaperon, often mistaken for a turban, styled upward rather than hanging down (Nash, 2008, p.154). His dark fur-lined garment resembles the attire in "The Arnolfini Portrait" (Appendix 2), indicative of wealth during an era when textiles were extremely costly (ArtUK, 2019). His detailed face features a faint stubble, white highlights in his eyes and on his cheekbones, non-idealized features such as wrinkles and veins on his forehead, showcasing the Northern realism (Hall, 2014, p.44).
As described by the English art historian James Hall, the painting appears almost fleeting and alive - with the gaze seeming to capture the viewer before the face, and just like that, the penetrating stare turns away, perhaps followed by the light streaming from the right (Hall, 2014, p.43). The portrait conveys that the artist scrutinizes everything closely, including himself, without losing sight of the bigger picture (Hall, 2014, p.43). All these naturalistic details clearly indicate a Flemish painting.
The work is considered a self-portrait due to the frame. Jan van Eyck often used frames he designed and painted to enhance understanding and add meaning to his works (Hall, 2014, p.43; The National Gallery, 2021, 4:45-5.15). The gilded original frame of "Portrait of a Man" is crucial for interpreting the piece. Inscribed at the top of the frame is Jan van Eyckâs motto: "Als Ich can," translated to English: "As I can." At the bottom is his signature, and the date in Roman numerals: October 21, and in Arabic numerals, the year 1433. This results in the inscription: "Jan van Eyck made me on October 21, 1433" (Hall, 2014, p.43). He capitalizes the "I" in "Ich," playing on the pun Ich/Eyck. The motto can be interpreted as either boastful, "As I can," or modest, "As best as I can" (Hall, 2014, p.43).
The inscription highlights the relationship between words and image, indicating his awareness of his talent. His skill in painting surpasses that of a craftsman, which painters in this period was considered as. "As I can" suggests he is the only one capable of achieving such stylistic naturalism which cannot be imitated (The National Gallery, 2021, 5:10-5:58). "Jan van Eyck made me" also reflects a high degree of self-awareness, as he claims a painting of this quality, emphasizing that he created it and is conscious of his own abilities (The National Gallery, 2021, 5:10-5:58). All of this, along with his signing of his works as one of the first artists to do so, demonstrates a desire not to remain an anonymous craftsman (Hall, 2014, p.43; Farmer, 1968, p.159; Blunt, 1962).
The motto "Als Ich can" appears on several of his works, but the self-portrait is the only one where it is so prominent and clear. Additionally, the motto is placed at the top of the frame, where he would usually write the modelâs name, thus, the motto can be seen as the model's identity (The National Gallery, 2021, 5:15-6:25). This, along with his direct gaze at the viewer, suggesting it was painted from a mirror, are the strongest indicators that the portrait is a self-portrait (Hall, 2014, p.43).
However, this can be taken with some skepticism, as other portraits by him, such as "Portrait of Margaret van Eyck" (Appendix 3) and "Portrait of Jan De Leeuw" (Appendix 4), share the same penetrating gaze (PĂ€cht, 1994, p.107). This might instead indicate his realism, where the painterâs position does not function as an observer but rather takes an active role. The modelâs direct gaze towards the viewer shows that the model has looked at Jan Van Eyck. This shows Jan Van Eyck possessing an active role, which was very different from painters in this period, and by doing so, creating a new respect for the painter as an artist, again showcasing his self-awareness of his position and talent (PĂ€cht, 1994, pp.106-108).
Literature
Books and Journals:
Hall, James (2014). The self-portrait, a cultural history. London: Thames & Hudson LtdÂ
Nash, Susie (2008). Northeren Renaissance Art. New York: Oxford University Press.
Blunt, Anthony (1962). The Social Position of the Artist. Artistic Theory in Italy, 1450-1600. Oxford & New York: Oxford University PressÂ
Farmer, David (1968). Reflections on a Van Eyck Self-Portrait. Oud Holland. S. 159Â
Online
Google Arts and Culture (n.d.): Portrait of a Man in a Red Turban (selfportrait). Found at: https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/portrait-of-a-man-in-a-red-turban-selfportrait/SAFcS1U8kYssmg?hl=en Â
ArtUK: Butchart, Amber (2019). Fashion reconstructed: the dress in Van Eyck's Arnolfini portrait. Found at: https://artuk.org/discover/stories/fashion-reconstructed-the-dress-in-van-eycks-arnolfini-portraitÂ
The National Gallery (2021). Jan van Eyck's self portrait in 10 minutes or less | National Gallery. Found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMJK1EDG2X8&t=1s&ab_channel=TheNationalGalleryÂ
#my post#history#famous artists#art exhibition#jan van eyck#renaissance#northern renaissance#netherlands#flanders#germany#painting#oil painting#art history#artwork#art#histoire#literature#portrait#raphael#leonardo da vinci#arnolfinis wedding#art historian#research#analysis#art analysis#art anatomy#self portrait#self portrature#self portrayal#portraiture
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Sat, Jan 12 - I visited the ancient Roman city of Sardes today for the first time. (Information about the city is under this post.) It consisted of the Gymnasium with the remains of many Byzantine shops including restaurants and painting shops, a public pool, tombs, and a Synagogue. It was truly refreshing to see the place overall, but what I adored about the visit was the fact that you could imagine and experience the feeling of what it was like to be living in an ancient city, as it was empty because of the weather conditions. No voices, no noise, no motion, just the smell and the air of this ancient place. (I bet Henry Winter would die for it.) The Temple of Artemis was also close and I went there as well. I'll publish the pictures from the Synagogue and the Temple next if you want to check them out.
Sardisïżœïżœ(/ËsÉËrdÉȘs/ SAR-diss) or Sardes (/ËsÉËrdiËs/SAR-de ess; Lydian: đ€łđ€±đ€ đ€đ€Ł, romanized: Sfard; Ancient Greek: ÎŁÎŹÏΎΔÎčÏ, romanized: SĂĄrdeis; Old Persian: Sparda) was an ancient city best known as the capital of the Lydian Empire. After the fall of the Lydian Empire, it became the capital of the Persian satrapy of Lydia and later a major center of Hellenistic and Byzantine culture. It is now an active archaeological site in modern-day Turkey, in Manisa Province near Sart.
In 334 BC, Sardis was conquered by Alexander the Great. The city was surrendered without a fight, the local satrap having been killed during the Persian defeat at Granikos. After taking power, Alexander restored earlier Lydian customs and laws. For the next two centuries, the city passed between Hellenistic rulers including Antigonus Monophthalmos, Lysimachus, the Seleucids, and the Attalids. It was besieged by Seleucus I in 281 BC and by Antiochus III in 215-213 BC, but neither succeeded at breaching the acropolis, regarded as the strongest fortified place in the world. The city sometimes served as a royal residence, but was itself governed by an assembly.
In this era, the city took on a strong Greek character. The Greek language replaced the Lydian language in most inscriptions, and major buildings were constructed in Greek architectural styles to meet the needs of Greek cultural institutions. These new buildings included a prytaneion, gymnasium, theater, hippodrome, and the massive Temple of Artemis still visible to modern visitors. Jews were settled at Sardis by the Hellenistic king Antiochos III, where they built the Sardis Synagogue and formed a community that continued for much of Late Antiquity.
In 129 BC, Sardis passed to the Romans, under whom it continued its prosperity and political importance as part of the province of Asia. The city received three neocorate honors and was granted ten million sesterces as well as a temporary tax exemption to help it recover after a devastating earthquake in 17 AD.
Sardis had an early Christian community and is referred to in the New Testament as one of the seven churches of Asia. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus refers to Sardians as not finishing what they started, being about image rather than substance.
I take the pictures that are on my blog myself. In case you're interested in this post, I also post/reblog content including travel/cultural pictures, books, book recommendations, analysis, quotes, anything related to movies, series, and girl blog entries.
#sardes#ancient rome#ancient greek#gymnasium#ancient history#ancientmonuments#roman architecture#archeology#blog#travel#history#the secret history#henry winter#synagogue#dark academia#aesthetic#light academia#books#girlblogging#hellenistic#reading#if we were villains
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Favorite History Books || Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the Worldâs First Empire by Eckart Frahm â
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⊠This birth of Assyria in the proper sense of the termâ its emergence as a land that included great cities such as Nineveh, Calah, and Arbela, and soon others much farther awayâ marked the beginning of a new era: the Middle Assyrian period. Now a full-fledged monarchy, Assyrians started to see their land as a peer of the most powerful states of the time, from Babylonia in the south to Egypt in the west. During the eleventh century BCE, the Assyrian kingdom experienced a new crisis, this one caused by climate change, migrations, and internal tensions. It lost most of its provinces, especially in the west. But when the dust settled, it managed to rise from the ashes faster than any of the other states in the region. A number of energetic and ruthless Assyrian rulers of the Neo-Assyrian period (ca. 934â 612 BCE) took advantage of the weakness of their political rivals, embarking on a systematic campaign of subjugation, destruction, and annexation. Their efforts, initially aimed at the reconquest of areas that had been under Assyrian rule before and then moving farther afield, were carried out with unsparing and often violent determination, cruelly epitomized in an aphoristic statement found in another of Esarhaddonâs inscriptions: âBefore me, cities, behind me, ruins.â . . . During the last years of Esarhaddonâs reign, Assyria ruled over a territory that reached from northeastern Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean to Western Iran, and from Anatolia in the north to the Persian Gulf in the south. Parks with exotic plants lined Assyrian palaces, newly created universal libraries were the pride of Assyrian kings, and an ethnically diverse mix of people from dozens of foreign lands moved about the streets of Assyrian cities such as Nineveh and Calah. Yet it was not to last. Only half a century after Esarhaddonâs reign, the Assyrian state suffered a dramatic collapse, culminating in the conquest and destruction of Nineveh in 612 BCE. Assyriaâs fall occurred long before some better- known empires of the ancient world were founded: the Persian Empire, established in 539 BCE by Cyrus II; Alexander the Greatâs fourth-century BCE Greco-Asian Empire and its successor states; the third-century BCE empires created by the Indian ruler, Ashoka and the Chinese empero, Qin Shi Huang; and the most prominent and influential of these, the Roman Empire, whose beginnings lay in the first century BCE. The Assyrian kingdom may not have the same name recognition. But for more than one hundred years, from about 730 to 620 BCE, it had been a political body so large and so powerful that it can rightly be called the worldâs first empire. And so Assyria matters. âWorld historyâ does not begin with the Greeks or the Romansâ it begins with Assyria. âWorld religionâ took off in Assyriaâs imperial periphery. Assyriaâs fall was the result of a first âworld war.â And the bureaucracies, communication networks, and modes of domination created by the Assyrian elites more than 2,700 years ago served as blueprints for many of the political institutions of subsequent great powers, first directly and then indirectly, up until the present day. This book tells the story of the slow rise and glory days of this remarkable ancient civilization, of its dramatic fall, and its intriguing afterlife.
#historyedit#assyrians#neo assyrian empire#asian history#iraqi history#history#history books#nanshe's graphics
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Archaeologists have uncovered dozens of ancient Egyptian tombs and numerous artifacts, including a remarkable set of objects made from gold foil.
An Egyptian archaeological mission coordinated by the Supreme Council of Antiquities unearthed 63 mud-brick tombs and some simple burials at the Tel el-Deir necropolis in New Damietta, a Mediterranean coast city in the country's north.
The tombs are thought to date to ancient Egypt's Late Period, which lasted from 664 to 332 B.C., the country's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in a statement.
Among these, researchers uncovered a "huge" tomb containing burials of people who appear to have been of high social class. Inside, archaeologists found a collection of gold foil artifacts in a variety of different forms, such as those shaped like religious symbols or figures.
The archaeological mission also uncovered a pottery vessel containing dozens of bronze coins from the later Ptolemaic era during the excavation, as well as a group of local and imported ceramic artifacts. The latter shed light on trade links between the ancient city of Damietta and other settlements along the Mediterranean coast.
The Ptolemaic era began following Alexander the Great's conquest of Egyptâthen controlled by the Persiansâin 332 B.C. A Hellenistic polity known as the Ptolemaic Kingdom was subsequently established in 305 B.C. and ruled Egypt until 30 B.C., when the region was conquered by the Romans.
Another intriguing find during the excavation in New Damietta was ushabti statuettes, small figurines used in ancient Egyptian funerary practices. They were placed in tombs in the belief that they would act as servants for the deceased in the afterlife.
The layout of the newly discovered tombs at Tel el-Deir has been seen in other ancient Egyptian tombs of the Late Period, the ministry said.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the latest discoveries at the Tel el-Deir necropolis highlight the fact that ancient Damietta was a center of foreign trade during different historical eras.
Earlier this month, archaeologists announced that a collection of ancient Egyptian artworks and inscriptions had been uncovered hidden below the waters of the Nile.
A joint Egyptian-French archaeological mission identified works in an area of the iconic river, near the city of Aswan, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement.
The settlement that existed in this location in ancient times was strategically significant, marking the southern frontier of pharaonic Egypt.
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Cadastre B; Cadastre C; Cadastre A
The cadastres of Orange
Dating from 77 BC and commissioned by Vespasian, the three so-called Orange cadastres consisted of large white marble tablets, of which 300 fragments have been preserved. They represent the plan of the colony, and are the only surviving example of their kind for the entire Roman era. This cadastre provides us with information about the land and fiscal administration of the times.
The term 'cadastre' refers to the administrative organisation of ancient Roman territory for the requirements of land and fiscal administration. The cadastres covered the entire territory of the colony of Orange.
On cadastre B [image 1], the representation of the kardo and the decumanus [the two lines forming a crossroads created by a surveyor from which to measure land] enabled the territory to be divided into four major regions and determined the coordinates of each centuria. Each of these, measuring 750 x 750 metres, covered an area of 50 hectares (i.e. 200 jugeri, the unit of measurement of land area used by the Romans).
The inscriptions show the various legal statuses of the territories:
EX TR. [ex tributario]: land allocated to the settlers
REL. COL. [reliqua coloniae]: leased land (the amount of the lease and the name of the lessee are mentioned)
TRIC. REDD. [tricastinis reddita]: land restored to the defeated indigenous peoples (in this case, the Tricastini tribe).
-- Text from the Museum of Orange [with a couple clarifications]
^ detail of a section of cadastre B [image 1] showing the outline of river
^ more example details from cadastre B
+ dad for scale:
#sorry this is badly formatted bc I'm on my phone but it was SO cool to see & I wanted to post it so hopefully it makes some sense#I wish I had better detail photos but I was sort of dying from heat when I took them so#the river in particular I found very cool#thoughts#+ dad for scale bc it was fairlyhuge but I couldn't work out how to show it in the photo
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Magical Gemstones: An Abridged Guide
Magical gemstones are a type of talisman made of semiprecious stones âsuch as hematite, carnelian or amethystâ that were worn set in rings or as pendants and their size ranges from 1.5Â cm to 3Â cm.These gemstones haven't magical, protective characteristics because of the nature of the gem itself but because the representations of Gods and holy names carved conceded them virtues through holy dynamis: This is, among other things, the inherent power of divine names and/or their representations.
These depictions are normally inverted (negative) This, together with the fact that some of the gems show a certain degree of worn indicates that they were manipulated in some wayâprobably rubbed or even licked, in order to increase their efficacyâproves that they were not conceived as seals but as amulets or talismans.
A magical gemstone, to be considered as such, should have one or more of the following elements:
An iconographic language generally belonging to syncretic Gods or that combines Gods from different origins.
Charakteres (magical signs. They can be planetary, protective, etc.)
Voces magicae (Words of power and phrases whose formulation and structure may hide secret, sacred names of Gods as well as prayers or incantations dedicated to them, sometimes with the intention of controlling their emanations and daimonÄs) and logoi (magical names, permutation of magical names and vocals).
The practice and use of magical voices was transmitted orally across the eastern Mediterranean, but it wasn't until the early 1st century b.c.e. the practice began to be included in written form. The abundance of amulets and gems with magical names and signs are evidence of this change of paradigm.
In addition, elements are usually complemented by two structural features:
The gemstone is engraved on both the obverse and the reverse, sometimes even on the edge.
The inscription appears directly and not in mirror writing.
These magic gemstones, in addition, can be magical gemstones stricto sensu and amuletic gems. The latter differ from the former in:
That the iconographic patterns they contain are explicitly described as belonging to amulets in textual sources such as Posidippus's Lithika
They bear a prophylactic inscription, usually "diaphylasse" (protect me!), "sĆzon" (save me!) or "Heis Theos" (One God).
Its production began during the late Hellenistic period, but it was not until the 2nd and 4th centuries c.e. that it reached its apogee. Magical gemstones' imagery demonstrates the diversity and plurality of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Egyptian, Christian, Gnostic and Jewish representations and ideas from the Mediterranean from the Roman period, as well as the popularity and diversity of magical activities and practices.
These magic gemstones were rarely used for evil purposes, such as harming someone. Their most common use was to offer protection or solve personal health problems: those showing an ibis tied by an altar and including the command "pésse!" (digest) were used to heal indigestion and other stomach problems; others, depicting a uterus, offered represented a womb, offered protection during childbirth and guaranteed fertility.
Although most of these magic gemstones were used as jewelry, it is possible that they also had other uses, as part of a ritual to heal a patient or as a physical component for an incantation, such as those with depictions of Harpocrates seated on a lotus the nomina magica BainchĆĆĆch (BainchĆĆĆch, Ba of the Shadow, isn't only a vox magica/nomina magica but a God on their own right. PGM aside, BainchĆĆĆch appears in Pistis Sophia as a triple powered deity that descends onto Jesus, giving him his powers)
An interesting fact is that of the production of magical gemstones during the 17th and 18th centuries of our era. Although the production of these gems continued during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance âirregularly, of courseâ they reflected the magical and religious reflected the magical and religious practices of their historical context.
This, however, was not the case during the 17th and 18th centuries, where magical gemstones of great quality and sophistication were produced, which not only reproduced the iconographic motifs and logoi of the pre-existing graeco-egyptian magic gemstones, but also introduced new ones. An example of these gems are those with representations of Christ-Osiris or Jesus-Khepri
Sources:
Nagy, M. A., (2015) Engineering Ancient Amulets: Magical Gems of the Roman Imperial Period. in D. Boschung and J. Bremmer (eds), The Materiality of Magic (Morphomata 20). Paderborn, 205-240.
Faraone, C. (2018) The Transformation of Greek Amulets in Roman Imperial Times, Filadelfia; University of Pennsylvania Press.
Simone, M., (2005) (Re)Interpreting Magical Gems, Ancient and Modern en Shaked, S., Officina Magica: Essays on the Practice of Magic in Antiquity (IJS Studies in Judaica, vol. 4), Leiden; Brill, 141-170.
Campbell-Bonner Magical Gems Database (http://cbd.mfab.hu)
#magical gemstones#gemstones#PGM#Set#Sutekh#Set-Typhon#SÄt-Typhon#magic#religious syncretism#polytheism#egyptian polytheism#hellenic polytheism#kemetic polytheism#greek magical papyri#Bainchoooch#Thoth#talismans#amulets#talismanic magic
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Roman Emperor Caligula's 2,000-Year-Old Garden Unearthed Near the Vatican
The gardens overlooking the Tiber river in Italy once belonged to an infamous Roman emperor.
Construction workers in Italy have discovered a 2,000-year-old garden that once belonged to a Roman emperor.
The travertine walls of the garden overlook the banks of the Tiber, a river that cuts through Rome and sits east of Vatican City. The ruins were unearthed as workers constructed a new overpass at Piazza Pia, according to a translated statement from the Italian Ministry of Culture.
As archaeologists removed debris, they found a lead water pipe with the following inscription: "C(ai) CĂŠsaris Aug(usti) Germanici." Researchers determined that the engraving referred to Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as Caligula (aka "little boot," a childhood nickname given to him by his father's soldiers).
Based on the inscription, researchers think the garden likely belonged to the infamous Roman emperor. Not only was Caligula known for being a tyrannical and ruthless leader, he was also a sadist who humiliated his senate. Caligula assumed the throne in A.D. 37, and in A.D. 41 the Praetorian Guard â the officials who were supposed to protect him â assassinated the emperor.
This conclusion is supported by a passage in the ancient text "On the Embassy to Gaius," penned by Egyptian philosopher Philo of Alexandria. It describes how Caligula had met with a representative of Jews living in Alexandria, Egypt, at a large garden along the Tiber, according to the statement.
At that time, Jewish Alexandrians and the Greek-Alexandrian population were in a "crisis that had manifested itself with violence, brawls and episodes of religious intolerance." However, Caligula rejected the Jews' requests for religious autonomy, instead siding with the Greeks.
Alessio De Cristofaro, an archaeologist at the Special Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Art and Landscape, a government agency in Rome, said the find is significant because Piazza Pia is in the same area as the "Horti Agrippinae," the garden of Agrippina the Elder, who was Caligula's mother.
The pipe is also similar to another one, found in the early 1900s, that's inscribed with the name Iulia (Julia) Augusta, the second wife of Augustus and the grandmother of Germanicus. Researchers speculate that the property was inherited by Germanicus and later passed down to his wife, Agrippina the Elder, before going to Caligula.
In addition to the pipe, archaeologists found slabs of Roman-era pottery and terra-cotta figures of mythological scenes that would have decorated rooftops.
By Jennifer Nalewicki.
#Roman Emperor Caligula's 2000-Year-Old Garden Unearthed Near the Vatican#Tiber river#Piazza Pia#ancient artifacts#archeology#archeolgst#history#history news#ancient history#ancient culture#ancient civilizations#ancient rome#roman history#roman empire#roman art#ancient art
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The Hooded Ones
'The Genii Cucullati are otherworldly entities whose image appears throughout Celtic Britain and Europe during the era of Roman domination. Genius means âa spiritâ and a cucullus is a full-length hooded woollen robe. If they look more than a little like mediaeval monks, then this is because their successors also adopted this pragmatic attire. Thus the Genii Cucullati are literally the âhooded spirits.â In Britain they tend to be found in a triple deity form, which seems to be specific to the British representations.
No surviving documentation explains their identity or function. Instead what we know of them is pieced together from archaeological evidence and surviving inscriptions. They are thought to be guardian-type figures offering protection and sanctuary. Some scholars theorise that their hoods are an artistic motif indicating that the beings depicted are normally invisible, âslippery avoidance of being too-clearly defined, preferring instead to remain hidden/hooded/held in obscurity.â
Sometimes, however, the hoods appear very phallic. Sometimes the phallic imagery is overt: some Cucullati have removable hoods revealing the phallus hidden within. An exposed phallus traditionally serves as an amulet that promotes personal fertility, and magically averts death. It may also chase away ghosts and many evil spirits. Indeed, Genii Cucullati are often depicted carrying items indicating fertility, such as eggs and coin purses or martial prowess such as swords of daggers.Â
In Britain, their images appear in two key locations, the Cotswolds, and Northumbria â a direct correlation with the concentration of Black Monk sightings .Celtic Scholar Miranda Green wrote âThe cult of the Genii Cucullati appears to have embraced profound and sophisticated belief systemsâ and that âsuch traditions did not wholly die after the coming of Christianity.â She believed that these hooded figures seem to have left an impression of supernatural power in our countryside.'
#Genii Cucullati#The hooded spirits#Romano-British culture#celtic mythology#my artwork#My pen and ink scribbles#paganblr
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Egyptian mythology, rich with gods, pharaohs, and mystical beliefs, offers a unique glimpse into ancient Egyptian culture, captivating the world for millennia. At its core lies the âKaâ concept, transcending definition and embodying lifeâs essence. In this belief system, Ka isnât merely a spiritual double but the life force itself, vital in lifeâs journey and beyond. Intertwined with Egyptiansâ views on mortality, spirituality, and the afterlife, this article delves into the world of Ka, illuminating its multifaceted role in Egyptian mythology and its enduring significance. Exploring Ka helps us grasp ancient Egyptian beliefs and how these timeless concepts resonate in modern times.OriginAncient Egyptian Religion and CultureConcept TypeSpiritual Essence and Life ForceDescriptionThe Ka is the individualâs life force or spiritual double, often depicted as a twin or guardian spiritRoleBelieved to reside in the body and continue to exist after death; necessary for an individualâs journey in the afterlifeRitualsRituals and offerings were made to honor and sustain the Ka of the deceasedTombs and StatuesKa statues were placed in tombs to ensure the continued existence and well-being of the deceasedCultural SignificanceIntegral part of ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife and the continuity of the soulOverview of Ka
1. Historical Context of Ka in Ancient Egypt
Emergence of Ka in Egyptian History
The concept of Ka traces its roots back to the very cradle of Egyptian civilization, emerging in the Predynastic period, around 6000-3150 BCE. This era, characterized by the formation of the first Egyptian state, saw the development of distinct religious beliefs and practices, among which the idea of Ka was fundamental. As the Egyptiansâ understanding of life, death, and the afterlife evolved, so too did the conception of Ka, becoming more refined and integral during the Old Kingdom period (c. 2686â2181 BCE).
Cultural and Religious Significance of Ka
Archaeological Insights into the Understanding of Ka
The understanding of Ka is further illuminated by archaeological discoveries. Tomb inscriptions, such as those found in the pyramids and the Valley of the Kings, often reference Ka, indicating its significance in burial rites and beliefs about the afterlife. Ancient religious texts, like the Pyramid Texts and the Book of the Dead, provide a more detailed glimpse into the Egyptiansâ perceptions of Ka. These texts, some of the oldest religious writings in the world, outline rituals and spells to protect and nourish the Ka, underscoring its centrality in ancient Egyptian spirituality. The consistency of these references across various dynasties and regions within Egypt attests to the widespread and enduring nature of the belief in Ka.
See alsoGeb: The Ancient Egyptian Earth God
2. The Concept of Ka
Understanding Ka in Egyptian Mythology
In the realm of Egyptian mythology, Ka represents more than just a concept; itâs an integral part of the human existence, akin to a spiritual double. It is believed that Ka is created at the moment of birth, mirroring the physical body but existing in the spiritual realm. This life force is not just a static entity; itâs dynamic, requiring nourishment and care, both in life and after death. The Ka was thought to reside in the tomb with the deceasedâs body and needed offerings of food and drink to sustain itself. The preservation of the body through mummification was also crucial, as it provided a physical anchor for the Ka in the afterlife.
Ka and Comparative Mythological Concepts
The concept of a life force or a spiritual double is not unique to Egyptian mythology. Similar notions can be found in other ancient cultures. For instance, the âanimaâ in Roman beliefs or the âchiâ in Chinese philosophy share resemblances with Ka, embodying the vital force or essence of life. However, the Egyptian Ka is distinct in its complex interplay with physical existence and the afterlife, setting it apart from other cultural interpretations of the soul or life essence.
Kaâs Role in the Afterlife
3. Symbolism and Representation of Ka
Depictions of Ka in Egyptian Art and Architecture
The ancient Egyptians manifested their reverence for the Ka through various artistic and architectural forms. In statues, particularly those placed in tombs or near burial sites, people found one of the most iconic representations of Ka. They believed that these statues, which often resembled the deceased, would provide a physical vessel for the Ka if someone were to destroy the mummified body. Hieroglyphs, another significant medium, frequently depict Ka as a pair of upraised arms, symbolizing the concept of embrace or protection. This imagery appears in tombs, temples, and manuscripts, serving as a visual testament to the importance of Ka.
See alsoEgyptian Pharaoh Ramses III: Hero and Builder
Symbolism Embedded in Representations of Ka
4. Ka in Egyptian Religious Practices
Rituals and Ceremonies Centered Around Ka
Kaâs Influence in the Lives of Pharaohs
The concept of Ka permeated all levels of Egyptian society, impacting both pharaohs and commoners. Pharaohs symbolized their divine right to rule through the Ka, often depicting it in royal iconography. They built temples dedicated to the Ka of deceased pharaohs, which served as centers for worship and offerings. Commoners, on the other hand, played a more personal role with their Ka, regularly making offerings to seek protection and prosperity. The belief in Ka also influenced moral and ethical behaviors, as people considered it essential to maintain a harmonious relationship with their Ka for a favorable existence and afterlife.
See alsoBastet(Bast): The Egyptian Goddess of Protection
Daily Life and Beliefs Shaped by Ka
The presence of Ka in everyday life was profound. The actions, decisions, and ethics of the Egyptians were often guided by their relationship with their Ka. The need to provide for the Ka in the afterlife influenced the construction of tombs and the accumulation of wealth and goods. Even in daily language and expressions, references to Ka were prevalent, reflecting its deep integration into the cultural and spiritual fabric of ancient Egyptian life. This omnipresence of Ka in religious, social, and personal spheres highlights its foundational role in shaping the worldview and practices of one of historyâs most fascinating civilizations.
5. Modern Interpretations and Influence
Ka in Contemporary Interpretations
Influence of Ka in Modern Culture
Kaâs influence is discernible in various facets of contemporary culture, particularly in literature and film. Writers and filmmakers, inspired by the mystique of ancient Egyptian beliefs, have incorporated elements of Ka into their narratives. These references are often seen in stories exploring themes of immortality, spiritual journey, and the afterlife. By weaving Ka into their works, creators not only pay homage to this ancient belief system but also introduce it to new audiences, keeping the concept alive in popular imagination.
Relevance of Ka in Todayâs Society
The study and understanding of concepts like Ka hold significant relevance in modern society. By examining these ancient beliefs, we gain insights into the human condition and our perennial quest to understand life, death, and existence. The principles underlying the concept of Ka â the importance of nurturing the soul, ethical living, and the belief in life beyond the physical â resonate with many contemporary spiritual and philosophical ideas. This relevance underscores the timeless nature of such ancient beliefs, reminding us that the pursuit of understanding lifeâs mysteries is a universal and enduring human endeavor.
6. Conclusion
The exploration of Ka, the ancient Egyptian concept of the life force, reveals not only the intricacies of their mythology but also the depth of their understanding of life and afterlife. Ka, central to Egyptian beliefs, was more than a spiritual entity; it was a reflection of existence, encompassing ethics, rituals, and the eternal journey of the soul. The enduring influence of Ka in modern interpretations, literature, and film highlights its universal appeal and the continuous human quest to understand the unseen aspects of life. Studying such ancient beliefs like Ka enriches our current understanding of history and culture, bridging the past with the present and offering a deeper appreciation of the complexities of human spirituality and the timeless pursuit of existential meaning.
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New York State Society of the Cincinnati, on the death of Alexander Hamilton
At a special meeting of the the State Society of the Cincinnati, held at Ross's Hotel in Broad-street, in the City of New-York, on Tuesday, the 17th day of July, 1804: This Society, deeply afflicted by the death of their President-General, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, and earnestly desirous of testifying the high respect they feel for his memory (bowing with submission to the mysterious Will of Heaven) and feeling the deepest affliction at an event which has deprived them of their most illustrious Memberâtheir Country of its most enlightened and useful Statesmanâand the world of one of those extraordinary Men, which ages have rarely produced; unanimously agree to the following Resolutions: I. Resolved, That a letter be drafted and addressed to the Vice-President-General of the Society, and Circular Letters to the several State Societies, announcing this sad event, the deep and universal sorrow it has occasioned in this Society, and amongst their fellow-citizens of every description; and that the Rev. Mr. Linn, General Clarkson, Mr. Dunscomb, Mr. Hardie, and Col. Platt, be a Committee to draft such letters. II. Resolved, That the said Committee draft a letter of condolence to Mrs. Hamilton, which letter and letters, when prepared, are to be signed by the President and countersigned by the Secretary of the Society. III. Resolved, That Gen. Clarkson, Mess'rs Watson and Burrel, be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Mason, and request him to prepare and deliver an Oration on the 31st instant, in honour of the Talents, the Virtues, and eminent Services of that Great Man whose loss we deplore; and that the said Committee make such arrangements as may be proper on the occasion. IV. Resolved, That a Monument be erected in Trinity Church, by this Society, to the memory of Alexander Hamilton, its late President-General, with a suitable Inscription; and that Mr. Gouverneur Morris, the Rev. Dr. Linn, and Mr. Morton, be a Committee to carry this resolution into effect. V. Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be presented to Mr. Gouverneur Morris, for his prompt compliance with their wishes, in delivering an Eulogium at the Funeral Ceremonies of their deceased President-General, Alexander Hamilton. VI. Resolved, That the several Resolutions passed at this meeting, be transmitted to the Vice-President-General of the Society, and to the respective State Societies, and be also published. W. S. SMITH, President.
W. POPHAM, Secretary.
Source â Library of Congress, Digital Collections, manuscript/mixed material. Image 8 of Alexander Hamilton Papers: Family Papers, 1737-1917; 1804-1805
The New York State Society of Cincinnati - also known as The Society of the Cincinnati - is a fraternal hereditary society founded on June 9, 1783, to commemorate the American Revolutionary War that saw the creation of the United States. In order to perpetuate their fellowship, the founders made membership hereditary. [x] The Society has had three goals; âTo preserve the rights so dearly won; to promote the continuing union of the states; and to assist members in need, their widows, and their orphans.â To achieve these aims, the Society called on its members to contribute a month's pay. George Washington was the first president general of the Society. The army's chief of artillery, Henry Knox, was the chief author of the Institution.
The organization was named after, Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, a farmer who left his farm to serve as a Roman Consul and Magister Populi (With temporary powers similar to that of a modern-era dictator). In response to a military emergency, he took over the city of Rome as a legitimate dictator. After the conflict, he gave the Senate back the initiative and resumed cultivating his fields. This philosophy of unselfish service is reflected in the Society's motto; He gave up everything to keep the Republic alive, or Omnia reliquit servare rempublicam.
The Society of the Cincinnati was founded by officers at the Continental Army encampment at Newburgh, like Major General Henry Knox. The first meeting of the Society was held in the May of 1783 at a dinner at the Verplanck House Fishkill, New York, (Which was Baron Von Steuben's headquarters during the Revolution) before the British evacuation from New York City. The meeting was presided over by Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, with Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton serving as the orator. The participants agreed to stay in contact with each other after the war. Mount Gulian is considered the birthplace of the Society of the Cincinnati, where the Institution was formally adopted on May 13, 1783. To this day the members of the organization meet annually at the Verplanck homestead. It is modernly known as The Mount Gulian historic site and looks very much as it did in 1783. There you will find the Cincinnati Gallery, dedicated to the New York State Society, with displays, artifacts, and documents illustrating the founding and activities of the Society during its continuous existence since 1783. Read more here.
While the NYSSOTC did erect the famous white monument on top of the grave of Hamilton, [x] in 1957 they erected another monument in Financial District in Manhattan in New York County engraved with; âTo the Memory of Alexander Hamilton 1757 - 1804. Lieutenant Colonel, Aide de Camp to Gen. Washington And Those Other Officers of the Continental Army & Navy Original Members of the Society Whose Remains are Interred in the Churchyards of Trinity Parishâ [x]
#amrev#american history#alexander hamilton#historical alexander hamilton#new york state society of the cincinnati#baron von steuben#henry knox#george washington#history#cicero's history lessons#friedrich wilhelm von steuben
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Good evening, Dr. Reames I wanted to ask you something, a long time ago I read that during the XIX century there was a lot of discussion about the veracity of the figure of Alexander, like: Did he really exist or is he a legendary character? What do you think about it? Thank you very much, I love your work very much.
Did Alexander the Great Actually Exist?
Skepticism about historical figures was part of a larger development in the discipline of history: the critical evaluation of our sources.
âHistoriography,â or the history of history. Instead of just taking sources at face value, historians began to interrogate them: who wrote it, when, and what was that personâs perspective?
These are just the most basic questions. As time progressed, historiography became ever more refined. Iâve discussed some of these refinements before in my longer posts here. For instance, the difficulty in untangling imperial Roman tropes/themes overlying anecdotes about Alexander. We work for awareness of layering, narrative context, big-picture themesâŠ.
Yet sometimes the pendulum swings too far, at least IMO. Scholarly trends can get out of hand. Shiny new toys (ideas) are fun, but must be woven into the larger scholarly conversation, not suck all the air out of the room. History has fads just like anything elseâincluding undue skepticism. Some things I warn my own students about:
Smoke does not always equal fire. That is, donât assume the negative report is true over a neutral or positive one; especially the latter can be denigrated as whitewashing. Fact is, people love dirt and lie about or exaggerate bad things just as much as they polish up events or a personâs image.
Things can be exaggerated rather than invented out of whole cloth. Without solid evidence to support pure invention, Iâll tend to assume exaggeration. Layers of âtruthâ exist. It gets tricky.
Back to historiographic developmentâŠ.
The Enlightenment led to the questioning of much received truth. Thatâs the era of Darwin, of historical Biblical criticism, Reason over Faith, the birth of archaeology, etc. As part of the critical evaluation of ancient sources, scholars began to doubt the existence of heroes such as Agamemnon, Achilles, Theseus, and events too, such as the Trojan War. In fact, all events in Greek myth/history before 776 BCEâthe date of the first Olympicsâwere regarded as fictional. As archaeology took over Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Levant, and Italy, Greece was fighting for freedom from Ottoman control, archaeology new thereâbronze-age Greece yet uncovered.
In any case, as part of the new en vogue skepticism, some scholars questioned not only heroes and myths, but historical figures too, especially those further back in time. Did Solon exist? Cyrus? Croesus? Or even ⊠Jesus? (Radical!)
Proposing Alexander as mythical falls into that same hyper-skeptical period. The fact all our biographies were written so long after he lived made it easier to hypothesize he was a myth!
Yet recall⊠archaeology was new, epigraphy (study of stone inscriptions) just starting. A lot of information we have now simply didnât exist at that time.
Today, trying to argue that Alexander wasnât real is ridiculous. We have coins minted in his reign, epigraphical evidence from his own day naming him, oodles and oodles of images, archaeological evidence from Macedonia itself, etc. Thereâs no question Alexander of Macedon existed, and he conquered a hella lot of his known world. The basic outlines of his campaign are documented in hard evidence.
We can, however, (and should!) question many of the stories and anecdotes about his campaign. Even the outlines of some battles. Two mutually-exclusive versions of the Battle of Granikos exist. Some famous events probably didnât happen at all (the whole proskynesis affair). Others didnât happen as theyâre told. After all, we have competing stories in the original sources themselvesâtake the Gordion Knot episode. Thatâs where we apply our critical historiographic eye now.
But to return to our story of burgeoning historiography in the 19th and early 20th centuriesâŠ.
In 1870, Heinrich Schliemann began to dig at Troy, which opened up the Greek bronze age and put a hard skid on the âitâs all fictionâ trend. Now, that shithead Schliemann did boatloads of damage and has earned his rep as a lying little Colonialist weasel whoâs roundly cursed by most modern archaeologists. But you gotta give him that small sliver: he reversed the trend that regarded Greek myth as entirely false.
Then the pendulum swung the other way. If the Trojan War had really happened, was myth just barnacle-encrusted history? That notion wasnât so different from what the ancients had believed about their own myths, in fact.
Many historians sought to âpurifyâ myth: find the truth behind it. The trend remained popular well into the 20th century in both academic history as well as historical fiction (see Mary Renaultâs The King Must Die and Bull from the Sea). It also encouraged periodic âsearchesâ for mythical places. The seemingly never-ending âSearch for Atlantisâ is the most obvious example. (Newsflash: Plato made that shit up. Itâs a philosophical metaphor, yâall.)
Today, most professional historians regard Greek heroes as fictional. Instead, we trace how myths and heroes morphed over time and across cultures. So, Greek Herakles translated into Etruscan Hercle, then into Roman Hercules, plus Greek Heraklesâs probable antecedent in ancient near eastern myths of Gilgamesh, Marduk, Sampson, Melquart, etc.
Weâre also interested in how myths/legends embed reality at the edges to make them realistic to their hearers. Itâs not barnacle-encrusted history but may still convey realityâŠmuch as fiction does today. If you watch a TV show about, say, hospital emergency rooms, most people donât assume the characters are actual doctors or the events real except in broad brushstrokes. Yet we do rate such shows for how well they approximate ER experience. World build. Thatâs how modern historians and Classicists tend to approach myths today.
Myths are the stories a culture tells itself about itself.
What a culture valued, emulated, and how it wanted to think about itself can be found in myths.
These are the same things reception studies consider, btw. Theyâre less about what actually happened in history, than what people later wanted to believe happened. Thatâs as interesting a question (to my mind) as the truth of the event itself.
So perhaps all those fads in history tell us as much about the historians who purvey them as what they were uncovering. đ
#historiography#Alexander the Great#classics#tagamemnon#asks#birth of archaeology#myth as history#purpose of myth#skepticism in historical thought#did Alexander the Great exist?#ancient Greece#Greek history
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CptAllenHistory
No, Jews were not all exiled from Israel for 2,000 years only to return & establish a modern state. Based solely on archeological evidence, it is established fact that Jews have had a continuous presence in the Land for at least 3,200 years. Here is just some of that proof.
Archeological Proof of at Least 3,200+ Years of Continuous Jewish History in Israel
1208 BCE: Merneptah Stele: earliest archeological evidence of Jews in Israel
1050-970 BCE: Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon: written in Hebrew and discovered just west of Jerusalem
926 BCE: Karnak Temple: Pharaoh Shoshenq I listed conquests in Israel and Judah
801-900 BCE: Tel Dan Stele: earliest reference to David, King of Israel
733 BCE: Nimrud Tablet K.3751: references the land of Judah
597 BCE: Ostracon #18: earliest reference to the First Temple, found just south of Jerusalem
539-538 BCE: Cyrus Cylinder: marking return of Jews to Land of Israel after less than 50 years in Babylonian exile
350 BCE: Yehud Coins: currency from Persian-era Judah
187-175 BCE: Heliodorus Stele: documents appointment of administrator over the Temple in Jerusalem
4 CE: Trumpeting Place Inscription: discovered at the southern wall of the Temple Mount where "trumpeting" would declare the Sabbath
71: Judea Capta Coin: Roman coin minted to commemorate victory over Judea
81: Arch of Titus: Roman monument to sack of Jerusalem & pillage of the Jewish Temple
132-136: Freedom in Israel Coin: minted during Bar Kokhba Revolt's brief return of Jewish sovereignty in Judea
200-400: Beit She'arim Necropolis: Jewish burial site in the town of Kiryat Tiv'on
301-500: Huqoq Synagogue: mosaic floor of a Jewish synagogue
401-500: Beit Alfa Synagogue: three-paneled mosaic floor of Jewish synagogue
401-700: Menorah Medallion: golden torah breast plate discovered near the Temple Mount from a brief period of Jewish autonomous rule
401-900: Susiya Synagogue: Mosaic from synagogue in Southern Judean Hills
801-1000: Nuba Mosque: inscription calls Dome of the Rock Bayt al Maqdis - derived from Hebrew Beit Hamikdash meaning "The Holy Temple"
1166: Maimonides' Reflections: writing about praying at the Temple Mount
1267: Ramban Synagogue: oldest intact Jewish synagogue in Jerusalem
1490s: Abuhav Synagogue: built after Jewish expulsion from Spain
1570s: Ashkenazi Ari Aynagoguei: built in Tzfat in honor of Rabbi Isaac Luria
Early 1600s: Yochanan ben Zakai Synagogue: Jerusalem synagogue
1764: Istanbuli Synagogue: Jerusalem synagogue
1873: Peki'in Synagogue: synagogue in Northern Israel
1872-1948: Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue: Jerusalem synagogue blown up by the Jordanian Legion during Israel's War of Independence in 1948
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