#samian

[verdantlyviolet]

May have fallen off the calendar wagon lately but was aware the Kanathia has been approaching. Today I went for a river walk and found a willow tree. Guess what date it is?

Turned a few willow vines into a wreath.

[sleepiestduuuude]

sorry but im the number one griam fan

second image has a shit ton of doodles from my fic im writing :3

[nonenglishsongs]

Samian - Ishkodè (Algonquin)

[aphromight-y]

[longlaz1972]

Damian Kuffel

[thegrapeandthefig]

My Heraia festival is modelled after the Samian Tonaia. Which means that on the first night, a wooden statue(tte) [ξόανον] of Hera is tied to a tree (traditionally, a sacred chaste tree).

I don't have a chaste tree, but I have this small olive tree that does the trick. My small Hera statuette has the perfect expression for the occasion too lol

[clairity-org]

Filippino Lippi, Five Sibyls in Niches: The Samian, Cumean, Hellespontic, Phrygian and Tiburtine, ca. 1472, Oil on poplar panel, 11/21/23 #legionofhonor by Sharon Mollerus

[lucifers-favorite-child]

Caden: You can't be mean to me uncle Damian, I'm little!

Samian: So? Your father is insane and your other father is a disappointment to Superman and Luthor.

Caden:

Caden: I'm gonna end your whole ca-reer

Caden: Dad said grandpa bruce is gonna make me Robin instead of you.

Damian: YOU'RE LYING

[blueiscoool]

Rare Gladiator-Shaped Knife Handle Discovered by Hadrian's Wall

Archaeologists recently unearthed a rare 2,000-year-old knife handle cast in the form of a gladiator at Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, England.

The artifact, made of copper alloy, depicts a secutor gladiator, a class of heavily armored fighters known for their close-combat prowess against their nimble counterparts, the retiarius, who wielded a net and trident. Notably, the figurine reveals the gladiator as left-handed—a trait considered unlucky in Roman culture but possibly indicative of a specific individual. “Gladiators who fought left-handed were rare and could have been trained that way to gain an edge in combat,” explained Dr. Frances McIntosh, Collections Curator for Hadrian’s Wall and the North East at English Heritage.

The handle was discovered in the River Tyne near Corbridge Roman Town, a significant Roman settlement and supply base dating back to 79 CE. “To find such a well-preserved and fascinating piece is amazing. This beautifully made knife handle is a testament to how pervasive gladiator celebrity culture was, reaching the farthest corners of the Roman Empire,” McIntosh said in a statement.

Gladiators, often enslaved people or condemned criminals, were trained fighters who participated in public games held across the empire from 105 BCE to 404 CE. These events, organized by wealthy elites and sometimes the emperor, showcased wealth and entertained the masses. Despite their status as social outcasts, successful gladiators gained immense popularity and even became sex symbols.

“Gladiators had individual fans who followed them and even gave them gifts,” McIntosh noted. High-ranking Roman women, she added, were rumored to have fallen for these lowly fighters, sometimes defying societal norms. Evidence of gladiator memorabilia has surfaced in various forms, including decorated ceramics, glass vials, and figurines, but this knife handle stands out for its craftsmanship and connection to the northern frontier of the empire.

The secutor gladiator depicted on the handle is muscular, holding a large shield and helmet. These fighters often faced retiarii, whose lack of armor and reliance on agility made for thrilling spectacles. Gladiator games typically followed animal hunts and prisoner executions, creating a full day of entertainment for Roman audiences.

Other gladiator-themed artifacts found across England, such as a Samian bowl from Richborough Roman Fort in Kent, further illustrate the widespread cultural phenomenon. This bowl depicts a victorious gladiator standing triumphantly over a defeated opponent, reflecting the dramatic allure of these contests.

How the knife handle ended up in the Tyne River remains a mystery. “Did it fall out of someone’s pocket? Was it thrown in intentionally? We may never know,” McIntosh said. English Heritage plans to display the artifact alongside other finds from the river at Corbridge Roman Town in 2025.

by Dario Radley.

[sarafangirlart]

So we don’t know much about Imbrasos other than:

1. He is a guy that exists

2. Hera was born by his River (which implies that Rhea trusted or at least knew him)

3. His wife’s name is Chesias, and she’s hot af.

4. His daughter Ocyrhoe was kidnapped by Apollo and her fate is unknown (Tho I’d like to imagine she escaped).

This means I get tons of creative freedom designing and writing him. Also this Samian coin makes him look like he has a dad bod lol

[thesilicontribesman]

In the late second century CE, a substantial fire destroyed the forum at Wroxeter Roman City. The rubble from the collapsed building buried a unique snapshot of a Roman market day, including sizeable numbers of samian ware and mortaria.

Over one hundred whetstones were found nearby in a neat pile, as if they had been buried boxed.

Whetstone Stack, Shrewsbury Museum, England.

[whencyclopedia]

Polycrates

Polycrates (r. c. 535-522 BCE) was the tyrant of Samos who established Samian naval supremacy in the eastern Aegean and strove for control of the Aegean Sea and mainland towns of Ionia in the 6th century BCE. Polycrates had a successful career until the Persian Oroetus (r. c. 530-520 BCE) lured him to the mainland and had him crucified.

Ancient Samos

Greek tyrants originally arose in the 7th century BCE from conflict between aristocratic families seeking total authority over the communities. They employed appealing propagandistic policies to gain the favor and regard of the general public. This tactic may also be seen in modern times when dictators use populistic appeals to the lower classes to conceal other heinous crimes. The Greek tyrants were numerous, some of the most worth noting were Cypselus of Corinth (c. 657-627 BCE) and Peisistratus of Athens (c. 600-527 BCE).

The strategic location of Samos was crucial for the rapid generation of wealth by the local elites. The favorable geographical position of the Samos and its surrounding islands endorsed the Samian control of the merchant ships passing by, capturing the majority of the cargo transported from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Aegean Sea and the Hellespont. Thus, since the 8th century BCE, the dawn of Archaic Greece, Samians had created a plundering mentality to survive. That lifestyle of plunder was fused with a strong affinity with the goddess Hera, whose stone temple must have been erected after 800 BCE. With its impressive length of 30,5 meters (100 ft), this temple was one of the earliest and biggest temples found in the archaeological records, reflecting Hera's central role in the local community. The construction of a new Hera temple is almost the only other event that can be traced back to the reigns of the pre-Polycratean rulers.

The scene for the tyrant Polycrates' reign is set by the invasion of Cyrus II (c. 600-530 BCE), the king and founder of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. According to Herodotus, when Cyrus looked towards the west, he must have had a significant numerical advantage against Croesus (r. c. 585-546 BCE), the king of Lydia, despite the fact that Croesus had signed a treaty of hospitality and alliance with Sparta. After Cyrus' presence in Lydia was established, it appears that the Greeks dispatched no troops to Sardis, the capital. Cyrus struck in the midst of winter, catching the Lydian army off guard, and planned a fight at the Battle of Thymbra near Sardis in 547 BCE. Croesus was obliged to seek refuge in the citadel, but the city fell within 14 days. When Cyrus entered Sardis, Croesus surrendered and became Cyrus' vassal. As a result, the aspirant Achaemenid king controlled Lydia, a neighboring area of Samos. The western expansion of the Persian ruler forced the Samian elite to change their economic policy and redirect their plundering assaults toward the west.

Continue reading...

[444names]

Names generated from the List of empires on the English Wikipedia

Acenishu Acente Afavin Afracy Afria Afrianan Afshai Afsharan Akkari Akonger Akonic Akontrese Akontuʻi Akorea Akory Akwamugha Akwarmand Akwassyrid Ariannic Asalleucid Asarman Assamonfed Assian Assyriana Atecha Athity Aughabulo Augush Aulian Aurraza Aurysincid Aussoulta Avarthu Avieth Avietnazil Avijapal Ayunepal Azmian...

Babulou Babylo Bamany Bamitanian Bamonfed Bamongha Baterman Baths Beles Belga Benish Benoes Benthit Benti Bermen Betanisha Borde Boreattold Borebian Bracen Braneian Brazi Brian Britan Brunid Bulgarchal Bulgian Bulikan Bulikh Bulof Bulor Bulou Buria Buryeo Burépec Bylof Byzan Cartharic Cedian Cedoman Cenoesean Chaem Chazil Chornu Conian Coninem Contrid Danavarian Danicaluk Denti Duchese Duchold Ducian Ducid Duryeo Duryeoryeo Duttan Dutthenial Duttin Duttiquith Duttiquity Duttola Egyptan Elassyri Eljuk Emermens Empite Ethenid Ethes Etnarid Firachal Firacy Firan Firavian Firazan Firebial Firencan Frallic Frazil Fraznamai Frenor Fressyrea Frited Fritiquit Fulganate Fulgarid Fulonger Fulor Fulte Funemer Funepan Fungdonic Funghaeati Funghal Funish Ganan Ganian Garal Garian Garic Garthaga Genorg Geordenlu Geordent Germar Germara Gevijapalo Ghaburi Ghaica Ghassin Ghazil Goguese Gogurkic Golerbian Goleuchy Goral Gorgialli Gotharit Gothes Gottond Grajapahia Granavi Gravian Grenian Grenican Grepal Grepublite Grese Guese Gustrat Haempian Halmyrepur Hania Hanian Harican Hiopira Holdenia Holder Holes Holof Horthaic Hortuʻi Horysan Hosican Hoyungevia Hoyunghaya Hoyutchy Hunaths Huneman Hunew Hungorea Huniannid Hunnican Ibenoesean Ibetallity Ibeth Ibetna Itanagazi Itinchai Japahionic Japahite Japal Japarite Jayuna Jayunic Jayutton Jolat Joltan Kadian Kadiana Kadish Khaga Khitish Khmede Khmedia Khmen Khmexic Khwar Khwarlem Kinga Kondannian Konfed Kongenia Konian Konid Kontrica Koratec Korazi Korazte Korthity Korya Koryeo Kosia Kosini Kospal Kospaloni Kospitai Kospite Kulitti Kussikarid Kussyrean Kustecolof Kustedian Kustrenla Lamurg Lasam Macenian Maica Maitand Majapal Majapan Majaya Majayan Managianew Mania Manian Maniong Maracy Maria Marid Marth Maryand Masafsh Massannish Massia Maulof Maulte Maush Media Mediane Meninagian Menlamanca Mentish Mermeni Mexic Mexica Monfedoman Mongoltany Moniana Monica Monid Montinina Montrat Moraj Mordenew Morgin Murkic Muryeornu Neianish Nemerbiand Nemexic Nianamu Nishu Noesec Noeser Odryeo Odryeorya Odrysafsh Oltan Omacedon Omallica Osingol Ospira Ostrozvia Oysal Oyunid Oyutch Pagany Pagiani Pagin Pahimorea Palican Pality Pallia Palonid Palukust Parysalith Pongaran Poniali Ponid Pornu Poryeo Prean Prephtha Publi Publite Qarch Qaria Qariante Qarmaj Qoyunia Qoyutchy Ranamitti Ratec Rathai Ratinican Ravia Raviethit Razil Razna Raztechian Rogolte Roguessin Rogur Rogurran Romaraj Rozvid Rozvin Rungan Runlu Runni Rustrid Rustrozvia Safrian Safsh Safshuan Salukyan Samajapan Saman Samaran Samian Samur Sanandan Sanannid Sanantrid Sanianican Sarala Sarazte Sarchalic Sassinian Sechan Seconish Selgal Selgan Senchite Senem Seran Sermany Siana Siani Sical Sikaria Singa Songa Spahitai Spali Spalikh Spian Spirst Spirstrit Sultan Sulte Sultec Sumedish Sumen Sumenian Sumerate Sumerithai Surkin Suryeo Swedenia Swediant Thianew Thitant Tibenoese Tibeta Tinciand Tinga Tolasal Tolornu Toltan Toltang Tomacedia Tonghazte Tontec Trian Tromai Tughaeater Tughai Tuguryeo Tukyan Turian Turrazil Tussou Tustrozvi Uniallernu Unningara Vietala Vietalic Vijapagan Vinghaitan Waman Waral Waran Warchorn Warchy Warian Wassian Wassin Wassyria Wedebian Wedencid Wedia Wedianate Wesea Westria

[artemis-potnia-theron]

Artemis + Elaphobolia

(photo credit: eet!verleden)

Another popular festival, that of Elaphobolia, takes place on the sixth day of Elaphebolion (March/April) and may have been named after the elaphos cakes in the story of the Samian rescue of 300 boys told by Herodotus (Histories 3.48).

The Corinthians had captured 300 sons of noble Corcyraeans and were offering them as eunuchs in the city of Alyattes. When the men escorting the boys stopped in the city of Samos, the Samians were horrified to discover the purpose of their journey. In an attempt to save the boys from their fate, the Samians told the boys to hide in the sanctuary of the temple of Artemis.

When the Corinthians heard where the boys were hiding, they knew they could not enter the sanctuary to retrieve them, so they blocked all food and supplies going to the sacred temple, intending to starve them out. In response, the Samians invented a festival, which they continued to perform well into Herodotus’ lifetime:

Each evening, as night closed in, during the whole time that the boys continued there, choirs of youths and virgins were placed about the temple, carrying in their hands cakes made of sesame and honey [elaphos] in order that the Corcyraean boys might snatch the cakes and so get enough to live upon. (Herodotus, Histories 3.48)

This nightly dancing around the temple with cakes in hand went on for so long that the Corinthians were forced to give up their ownership of the boys and leave Samos. Once the boys were free of their fate, the Samians returned them to their home of Corcyra, but this festival of salvation and ingenuity continued in honor of the goddess for generations thereafter.

Many other states besides Samos celebrated the festival of Elaphobolia, but in many cases different stories of origin were told and other events were also included in the feasts and celebrations.

For example, in the town of Hyampolis, in Phocis, citizens similarly celebrate Artemis on the sixth day of Elaphebolion, but the festival’s origin story is based on the victory of the townspeople over the Thessalians, who had been ravaging the surrounding countryside. In this case, elaphos cakes made of dough, honey, and sesame seeds in the shape of deer are offered to Artemis Elaphebolos during the festivities.

Whatever the source of the festival may be, Artemis is central to the celebrations in the month of Elaphebolion and honoured repeatedly as the saviour of young men, as well as the protector of townspeople who offer her piety and sweet sustenance.

- She Who Hunts: Artemis: The Goddess Who Changed the World by Carla Ionescu