-Tony Stark, Reddwyn & Dr.Strange Enjoyer- - Newer to comics, so I’m still learning! - - I am just here to yap y’all - - main is @sickdoctor-art - - they/them/theirs -
I wish more pagans would stop acting like deities are fossils who have remained completely unchanged by time since the day they were first worshiped. If we can acknowledge how much societies and values changed from ancient times up to the present, then we should also acknowledge that the gods can and have changed too. Hell, the gods even changed along with their cultures back in antiquity! Whenever someone talks about an offering, practice or interpretation being "too modern" I just get so annoyed because it's operating on the mindset that the gods can never change, should never change and have never changed, which just isn't true.
Populonia (Etruscan name: Pupluna or Fufluna), located on the western coast of Italy, was an important Etruscan town which flourished between the 7th and 2nd century BCE. Rich in metal deposits and so noted for its production of pig iron, it has become known as the ‘Pittsburgh of antiquity;’ the town was a successful trading port, able to mint its own coinage. 7th and 5th century BCE tombs survive at the site, including large tumuli and square stone aediculae set in rows.
Early Settlement
The earliest archaeological evidence of settlement are the cemeteries belonging to the Villanovan culture (1000-750 BCE), a precursor of the Etruscans. The settlement of Populonia benefitted from its location on the coast where it could act as a trading centre between incoming goods shipped by sea from the wider Mediterranean and export the minerals mined from the interior of Etruria. There were also long-standing trade relations with Sardinia. With its own port in the only Etrurian natural harbour (the Gulf of Baratti), Populonia was the only Etruscan town to be constructed directly on the coast. The Etruscan name for the town - Fufluna - is derived from the Etruscan god of wine Fufluns, and this may indicate viticulture was an early source of wealth. More certain is that Populonia became prosperous based on its production of bronze, using copper and tin deposits found in the nearby hills.
Even more important than all its other resources put together, Populonia was particularly noted as a smelting centre for iron coming from Elba. The island had exhausted its supply of wood needed for charcoal used in the smelting process and so was forced to send iron ore across to the mainland for treatment. It is interesting to note that archaeology has shown that the Populonians did not make the same mistake of mass deforestation. Analysis of charcoal remains at the town show that it typically came from trees which were 20 years old, suggesting there was some forest management and trees were cut on a rotation basis. Iron would bring great wealth to Populonia’s ruling class, and as historian J. Heurgon points out, it would make the city as famous in antiquity as Pittsburgh was in the 20th century CE for its steel.
So yesterday I went to the Etruscan necropolis at Baratti in Italy and… it was absolutely beautiful. Through picked clean by grave robbers before being properly excavated by archeologists, the Necropolis still stands in solemn, ancient beauty.
Meant for the ancient Etruscan city of Fufluna (later Pupluna, then latinized to Populonia), the Necropolis is where the dead of the city were kept and buried. Massive tombs dedicated to powerful families, surrounded by smaller sarcophagi, all (save a few smaller items) were made of local limestone and built without mortar.
The city was originally named after the Etruscan deity of Fufluns- often equated to the Greek Dionysos or the Roman Bacchus, and the city was likely named this for the vineyards.
We were allowed to enter the largest of the tombs- known as the Tomb of the Chariots (Tomba dei Carri)- and you can see that these massive tombs were created prior to the technology to make a proper dome (they’ve seen dated as far back as 7th Century BCE). Instead, rocks were carefully stacked atop one another to create an illusory dome- which you can see being built up in the corners. Unfortunately, this dome was partially compromised due to grave robbers in the past, so the archeological staff at the site have since reconstructed it (which you can see in the black portion at the top in the video).
As an ancient art history nerd, I was absolutely blown away by this site. Though it may seem humble and maybe not as cool as something like the temples in Sicily or the Colosseum in Rome, this site predates them by hundreds of years. To walk through- touch- see- interact with- something so ancient was absolutely breath taking. These people were living and breathing and waking around, honoring their dead and burying their loved ones alongside beautifully crafted grave goods and precious objects.
When in sites like this I always find myself wondering what these people were thinking. Did they wander this as I did, placing their hands upon the stone and praying for those who had passed on? Did they enter the small temple at the foot of the hill and leave offerings? What did they wear? Did they too come to this place despite the heat of the sun and the biting bugs? Did they contemplate their future as I contemplate their past?
I’m so thankful that I was able to go. Truly, a wonderful experience.
Insane and gutwrenching new piece of lore dropped, I'm in shambles and it's just the first story.
So Cloakie is finally retconned to not only have a personality, but a backstory and a name! Honestly, I don't mind this decision at all. In fact, I was surprised it didn't happen earlier for synergy purposes. But I really like how it's been done by Straczynski, somehow still loyal to comics on its own unique way. Also it's been such a long time I wouldn't call it synergy anymore, and it's not like the MCU will adapt anything from it. It's still unique and gives a deep layer to a potential character and emotional attachment. It worked for me because now I'm even more pissed that Dahlea is being handed over to random people all the time. She likes Stephen, and that means SO MUCH to me already. Gods, I'm so happy with this whole issue.
Spoilers for Doctor Strange #450 (start of the new run)
Here are my general thoughts, but after the "keep reading", there is spoilers with images included! So if you are worried about spoilers, do NOT continue after that. Also these are all just general stream of consciousness type babbles- so don't take any of this too seriously (i ramble- it's in the name okay?)
The issue is split into 5 short stories, each by a different writer and set of artists. Set all over the timeline and in no real order, each little vignette is just a short and sweet story that gives more insight into his day-to-day as opposed to the usual fodder in his comic issues. I guess they're as "slice-of-life" as he can get lmao. (and y'all- this is the TLDR- i yapped for EONS okay?)
Overall, absolutely loved it!!!
Story Number 1: The Language of Threads
LORE ABOUT THE CLOAK OF LEVITATION??? HELLO??? I'm still new to comics, so like- idk if the origin of the Cloak has ever been talked about before but I'm actually screaming I love it sm.
The maker of the Cloak actually weaved it out of the essence of his daughter- a woman who dedicated herself to magic not because of a lust for power or control, but simply to appreciate the beauty of it and protect life. She was incinerated by Dormmamu, but her father was able to weave her soul into the cloak from "her threads of life" so that she might continue to do what she loved most, and that is protecting those she loves. Her name is Dahlea and im normal about her JUST LOOK AT HER. THE CLOAK IS RED AND GOLD BC OF HER IM NOT NORMAL ABOUT IT she is SO PRETTYYYYY
At the end of the story, the father "translates" for her after Stephen apologizes for not knowing, and she assures him that it's okay and that she "lives in joy". I'm... not okay :,)
Story Number 2: One Student at a Time
So i actually got ever so slightly spoiled about this story before even realizing that it was *in* this issue, and unfortunately it put a sour taste in my mouth prior to reading- which I hate to admit, but we live life in context, and sometimes the context isn't good. HOWEVERRRRRRRR all thoughts of this were immediately dashed when I *actually read it* SO I still really enjoyed.
The post I saw talked about being tired of people depicting Illyana as unpracticed/unlearned in magic- and initially I was like "yeah that seems annoying- she's literally a sorcerer supreme" but literally the OPENING LINES talk about this being her when she was a lot younger, so such sensations of annoyance were instantly put to bed.
It starts with a YOUNG Illyana Rasputin (Magick) asking Stephen for tutelage after finishing her studies with her former mentor- and he starts off with what he was first taught, which is alchemy. And THANK THE GODS- STEPHEN VINCENT STRANGE WITH SHAKY HANDS- MARVEL COMICS I AM STILL MAD AT YOU FOR FIXING HIS HANDS!!! Like literally wtf Stephen you literally mention later that reversing your injuries wasn't the answer smh (I know he did it to save someone's life- I'm being pedantic and silly- and I know it's about accepting himself and blah blah blah, but I am very much a believer in handicapping characters, and I'm peeved Marvel went back on it after so many years of it being LITERALLY HIS INCITING INCIDENT)
Also I appreciate them starting with alchemy because it is one of the best documented forms of magic used *in real life* so I just think it's neat!
Illyana tries to make a healing potion and it kinda comes alive and Stephen can;t really fight it since it's imbued with her essence of Limbo- so he kinda teaches her on the fly. It's honestly really really cute!!!
i love his stupid fucking face oh my lordie
Story Number 3: The Haunting of Webster Hall
A short and sweet story about a haunted house!! Stephen goes to investigate and finds a man named Robert Paine- the former hero known as Black Fox! He retired after losing the love of his life, but with Stephen they end up finding out that it was his love- Miriam- who was haunting the house! The two have a conversation about moving on, and it's really sweet. Stephen and Robert relate to losing everything, but again finding meaning.
Not the most deep or insightful story, but still fun! It also has Stephen in this fit, so it gets extra points. He is so silly i love him sm
Story Number 4: Astral Scars
Okay starting off perfectly (hilariously)
OH. Now I'm crying. Okay :))
Okay sorry this section is so segmented but THE ART OF THIS STORY IS JUST SO PRETTY??? wHAT LIKE OMFG DUDE THIS IS GORGEOUS- To me his face almost feels like a stained glass window with the line art to define values/colors, it's just UAGH i want it. This story deffo has my favorite art in the issue. The one on the right is deadass just a digital painting I'm not okay /pos
ANYWAS ABOUT THE ACTUAL PLOT- Stephen is chilling in the astral realm and a kid asks him why he still has his scars if he can imagine himself however he lives there- and he explains that his scars are reminders of how he has become a better man- and he talks to the kid about how pain SUCKS and is scary, but that it can teach us valuable lessons while *literally fighting the kid's inner demons*
Doctor Stephen Strange being sweet/kind/compassionate to children always gives me the warm fuzzies and I am 10000% okay with it- he is dad coded and i will stand by that, okay? (it's because i want him to adopt ME (despite me being a fully grown adult that has long since moved out)
Story Number 5: Trolling
AA YAY STEPHEN IN ASGARD!!! WEHEHHEHEEE!!! He's so perfect in his little robe i love him and his robes TvT idk why, but it gives me joy that he likes to treat himself in such a way (don't judge me okay- robes to me have always been luxury items- esp bc I assume his extra ass always wears silk ones lol)
Anyways- this one is about Stephen being the silly Sorcerer Supreme in Asgard and his old boss- Steingrimir- asks him to help out with a little stinky troll that pops up every now and again. Stephen is like "Oh yeah sure I'll cut him out with some scissors!" and the troll is so mortified that he detaches from Steingrimir LMAO
What the troll really is is just a literal physical representation of Steingrimir not wanting to be left alone T^T It ends w Steingrimir and the Troll beginning to make friends lol. Super cute and also is what leads into the next issue! (which comes out in DECEMBER how tf am i supposed to WAIT THAT LONG T^T)
Again- another cute one that has some excellent moments of Sassy Stephen. More silly than anything, and it works on setting up the next issue
So yeah! Those are my thoughts lmao. If you made it this far- props to you dude. Have another Stephen in a robe
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