The Hellenes of Troy

χαῖρε φιλοῖ! Ave amici! Welcome to our blog about everything Greek and Roman, and perhaps even further afield. We shall be blogging everything from Achilles and Alexander via Hector and the Hesperides to Zeus and Zakynthos. Happy browsing!

[hellenesoftroy]

Documentary concerning The Battle of Gaugamela

[hellas-inhabitants]

Hellenistic woman’s bust by Giunone Pentini.Roman copy of original hellenistic, Vatican Museum.

Ελληνιστική προτομή γυναίκας από τον Giunone Pentini.Ρωμαικό αντίγραφο του αρχικού ελληνιστικού, Μουσείο Βατικανού.

[hellenesoftroy]

The Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally the most important church of Orthodox Christianity, after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 it was converted into a Mosque. In a secular Turkey, the building has been converted into a museum.

[sadighgallery]

Bronze Ring Ancient Greece, 400 BC

Bronze ring with a flat oval center piece with an incised floral pattern. 

[hectorpriamidesarchive-deactiva]

MYTHOLOGY MEME | (1/2) LOCATIONS

THE CRETAN LABYRINTH (better known as the Minotaur’s Maze) was an elaborate maze-like construction designed by the architect Daedalus and his son Icarus, on the command of King Minos of Crete. Once, wanting to offer a sacrifice in honor of his uncle Poseidon, Minos asked Poseidon to send the best bull he could find from the sea. The bull was so beautiful that Minos didn’t sacrifice him, but instead kept him with his flock (or in the palace gardens). To revenge Minos for not keeping his promise, Poseidon made the bull so ferocious and dangerous that his eventual capture in Crete became one of the twelve feats of Hercules (Cretan Bull). When Pasiphae, his immortal wife, saw the bull she fell in love and coupled with him. She was able to couple with him with the help of Daedalus, who constructed a wooden likeness of a cow, in which Pasiphae hid. From this union the monster Minotaur was born, a humanoid being with a bull’s head, which Minos promptly jailed in the Labyrinth, an enormous construction in Knossos. (x) (x) 

[romegreeceart]

Trajan’s Column

Romans are disembarking after crossing the Danube River

Rome, July 2012

[booksandphilosophy]

"Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood let alone believed, by the masses."

Plato (via jaded-mandarin)

[chrysaoraelectrum]

The moon setting behind the ruins of the temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, Greece.

[barnardingmoved]

MYTHOLOGY MEME  - [1/4] TITANS: PROMETHEUS

Prometheus is a Titan, culture hero, and trickster figure who is credited with the creation of man from clay, and who defies the gods and gives fire to humanity, an act that enabled progress and civilization. He is known for his intelligence and as a champion of mankind. (+)

[clairelizabethfraser]

Greek Mythology:  Narcissus (Νάρκισσος)

He was the son of River God Cephisus and nymph Lyriope. He was known for his beauty and he was loved by God Apollo due to his extraordinary physique. Narcissus was once walking by a lake and decided to drink some water; he saw his reflection in the water and was surprised by the beauty he saw; he became entranced by the reflection of himself. He could not obtain the object of his desire though, and he died at the banks of the lake from his sorrow. According to the myth Narcissus is still admiring himself in the Underworld, looking at the waters of the Styx. x

[theprimevalelements]

Hercules, (1922-25) by John Singer Sargent

[hectorpriamidesarchive-deactiva]

MYTHOLOGY MEME | (2/9) GREEK GODS OR GODDESSES

APOLLON (or Apollo) was the great Olympian god of prophecy and oracles, healing, plague and disease, music, song and poetry, archery, and the protection of the young. He was depicted as a handsome, beardless youth with long hair and various attributes including: a wreath and branch of laurel; bow and quiver; raven; and lyre. (x)

[hectorpriamidesarchive-deactiva]

MYTHOLOGY MEME | (9/9) GREEK GODS OR GODDESSES

POSEIDON  was the great Olympian god of the sea, rivers, flood and drought, earthquakes and horses. He was depicted as a mature man of sturdy build with a dark beard, and holding a trident. (x)

[hectorpriamidesarchive-deactiva]

MYTHOLOGY MEME | (1/5) OTPs

ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE  were married, but their joy was brief. Directly after the wedding, as the bride walked in a meadow with her bridesmaids, a viper stung her and she died. Orpheus’ grief was overwhelming. He could not endure it. He determined to go down to the world of death and try to bring Eurydice back. He dared more than any other man ever dared for his love. He took the fearsome journey to the underworld. There he struck his lyre, and at the sound all that vast multitude were charmed to stillness. No one under the spell of his voice could refuse him anything. They summoned Eurydice and gave her to him, but upon one condition: that he would not look back at her as she followed him, until they had reached the upper world. So the two passed through the great doors of Hades to the path which would take them out of the darkness, climbing up and up. He knew that she must be just behind him, but he longed unutterably to give one glance to make sure. But now they were almost there, the blackness was turning gray; now he had stepped out joyfully into the daylight. Then he turned to her. It was too soon; she was still in the cavern. He saw her in the dim light, and he held out his arms to clasp her; but on the instant she was gone. She had slipped back into the darkness. All he heard was one faint word, “Farewell.” Desperately he tried to rush after her and follow her down, but he was not allowed. The gods would not consent to his entering the world of the dead a second time, while he was still alive. He was forced to return to the earth alone, in utter desolation. (x) 

[tigtragers-deactivated20140111]

MYTHOLOGY MEME : {7/9} greek deities→ Zeus (Ζεύς)

"O Zeus, giver of all, shrouded in dark clouds and holding the vivid bright lightning, rescue men from painful ignorance. Scatter that ignorance far from their hearts. and deign to rule all things in justice. so that, honored in this way, we may render honor to you in return, and sing your deeds unceasingly, as befits mortals; for there is no greater glory for men or for gods than to justly praise the universal Word of Reason.” - Cleanthes’ Hymn to Zeus

[archaicwonder]

Macedonian bronze helmet, Black Sea, circa 5th Century BC

[astreiants-archive]

mythology meme » 9 greek gods/goddesses

Eris

Eris (‘Eρις) is the Greek goddess of discord and strife. Her opposite is Harmonia.

Eris is sinister and mean, and her greatest joy is to make trouble. She has a golden apple that is so bright and shiny everybody wants to have it. When she throws it among friends, their friendship come to a rapid end. When she throws it among enemies, war breaks out, for the golden apple of Eris is the Apple of Discord.