#classics studyblr

[dionolor]

Yes, I study Classics, and I find it really interesting (I’m especially keen on Greek pottery, as you can see), but Mesopotamia and Egypt will always be my first loves. I love them more than anything

[theoceansandadinos]

Recent Mediterranean Archaeo Discoveries

From Aphrodite's head in Turkey to the 26-foot-tall statue of Atlas that stood guard at Zeus' temple, here are some relatively recent discoveries of Mediterranean artifacts, sculptures and other art from around Europe.

Image Source: @/jerryscience

A statue of Aphrodite and a statue of Dionysus were found next to modern-day Turkey in Çavdarhisar (geographically and historically, in the ancient city of Aizanoi, western Anatolia) by archaeologists from Kütahya Dumlupınar University who were excavating the site. These discoveries were made in 2021, but these statues are from the Hellenistic period and survived through the Roman Empire.

“We know that Aphrodite and Dionysus existed under different names in Roman times. These findings are important to us because they show that the polytheistic culture of ancient Greece existed for a long time without losing its importance in the Roman era."

The heads were unearthed from what once was an Anatolian creek bed; the bodies of Aphrodite and Dionysus were found in a previous dig. Additionally, fragments of a Hygieia statue were also found, alongside over 100 other statue fragments throughout the unearthing project. Aside from just how exciting this discovery is today, it also points to a potential sculpture workshop in the area in the past.

Learn more: "Archaeologists uncover statues of Aphrodite and Dionysus in Turkey (Heritage Daily) "The excavations in ancient city of Aizanoi discovered the statue heads of Dionysus and Aphrodite" (Arkeonews) "Lost Gods Found" (Greek Reporter) "Roman-era statues of Aphrodite and Dionysus unearthed in Turkey" (Live Science) @/greekcitytimes

Image Source: Spoken Past

This is a family altar from the height of Greek cultural influence just before the rise of the Roman Empire -- it dates back to over 2,000 years ago. It was buried just under a few centimeters of rich earth and vegetation and discovered just in 2023 in Sicily, Italy at an archaeological site in Segesta. This household altar, used for household worship and from Hellenistic ancient Greece, is made of stone and is designed with immense care towards Greek values of harmony and moderation (mimicking the pillars of Greek temples of the time, actually) that was "perfectly preserved."

"The Segesta site never ceases to amaze us...," the regional minister expressed, according to The Economic Times. "Excavations continue to bring to light... pieces that add new perspectives and interpretations to a site where multiple civilizations are stratified."

It is actually a portable altar, intended for those without a built-in hearth at home, according to Wiki Commons; I believe this to be possible, but I was unable to confirm or deny this morning (so I will try to look further into this later).

Learn more: "A more than 2000-year-old ancient Greek altar was found in the archaeological site of Segesta in Sicily" (Greek City Times) "Workers clearing bushes stumble on 2,000-year-old family treasure in Italy, photos show" (Miami Herald) "Hellenistic family altar found in Sicily" (The History Blog) "Ancient Greek Altar Unearthed in Sicily" (Archaeology Magazine) "2,000-yr-old Greek altar found at archaeological site in Sicily" (The Economic Times) "Ancient Greek altar unearthed at archaeological site in Sicily" (Reuters) "Perfectly preserved ancient Greek altar unearthed in Sicily" + LinkedIn Post (Archaeology Mag)

Image Source: @/Extra_Mechanic_2750 / Smithsonian

This is a 26-foot-tall statue of the Titan Atlas from an ancient Sicilian temple of Zeus, dating back to around 2,500 years ago (fifth century B.C.E). At the structure originally erected in honour of the King of Olympus (Zeus, who led the victorious gods -- and a small handful of Primordials and Titans -- against the Titan race in a 10-year battle known as the Titanomachy in Greek Mythology), 38 similar statues of Atlas stood guard. Atlas, in Greek Mythology, was punished once he lost the war by being forced to carry the sky (in some stories, the heavens or even the world itself) on his shoulders for eternity -- these statues appeared to have been built to uphold the temple of Zeus.

“This stone giant of ancient Akragas, which after many years of studies and research we can observe in its natural position, is the heart of an important museum project of the entire area of ​​the Temple of Zeus."

However, since this statue's discovery in 2004, it has been the subject of great controversy, as elected officials announced their intentions to restore the sculpture and reuse it to uphold a new, modern structure. Currently, it has been pieced back together, reconstructed with sandstone and officially restored -- as of 2024, it is now among the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily, on display for anyone to go visit and see the sculpture firsthand.

Learn more: "A Towering Statue of Atlas Emerges From the Ruins of Sicily’s Ancient Temple of Zeus" (Smithsonian Magazine) "Long-buried Atlas statue raised to guard Temple of Zeus in Sicily once more" (The Guardian) "Giant Statue Returns to Ancient Greek Archaeological Site in Sicily" (Greek City Times) Italy, Thursday, February 29, 2024 (The Guardian: World) "The Stunning Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily" (The Guardian) "After 20 years' work, Atlas stands guard again at Sicilian temple" (Magzter) Rossana Valenti

[dionolor]

A couple of days ago my sister and I went to the Roman Forum. She knows nothing about Roman history, and she asked me how they counted years back then if they didn’t know Jesus would be born

Fair question, tbh, so I want to share how they actually did it

There was something called the Fasti Consulares (the consular lists). Basically, it was a list of the highest officials, the consuls, for each year. Two men were elected as consuls every year, so the list was used to date events in Roman history

*museum Capitolini, inv. CE7326

E.g., they didn’t say ‘this event occurred in 27 BCE.” Instead, it would be more like: “this event occurred in the year of the consulship of X and Y’

I find it very interesting because people had to remember the names in order to use them as a way of marking the years

[dionolor]

Every time ancient Greek world is depicted in pale colours, a butterfly loses its wings

[dionolor]

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong because you’re too different, you should visit Centrale Montemartini. Sculptures and archaeological artifacts live there inside a former power plant, displayed alongside massive industrial machinery.

Time spent: 1.5 hours

Here are some of my favourite objects and HM

I’m very fond of representations of death and the afterlife, so I started with the sarcophagi

①Sacrophagus with riding dolphins Erotes (inv. 902, but I couldn’t find it on the website, it probably hasn’t been digitized. I’ll mention the ones I was able to find, though)

② Sarcophagus with Hercules and Cerberus (inv. 1394)

③ Head of Isis (inv. 154)

④ Statue of Artemis (inv. 774)

⑤ Frieze–architrave belonging to the cella Of The Temple of Apollo Sosiano (inv. 1786- 1788) (1788 is available on the website)

⑥Polychrome mosaic with Rape of Proserpina and busts of the Seasons (inv. 1235) available on the website

HM

① Many copies after greek original

② Bust of Lucilla (inv. 1871) available on the website

③ Reliefs with theatre masks (inv. 2127 - 28)

④ Sarcophagus of Crepereius Euhodus (inv. 477)

I also liked the fact that it’s possible to go upstairs to get a perfect view of the mosaic.

The downside is that I couldn’t find the artworks on the website using their inventory numbers :(

Giftshop — one of the most important parts of any museum visit for me is the gift shop. I collect postcards, but unfortunately there were none here. In fact, there wasn’t a proper gift shop at all — just a few stalls with overpriced souvenirs and books, although some of them were interesting (which is probably a sign that I need to learn Italian asap)

More museums here 🍁

[dionolor]

It’s the internet indeed. Everyone online seems to be freakishly fluent in Attic Greek, understand Cicero without using a dictionary, and know all the Roman emperors in chronological order. They can learn a whole new language overnight, finish a 700-page book in one day while helping homeless people. I can’t really comprehend how many much younger people than me could accomplish all that while also looking super sexy and having a social life

Im just useless for the society

[dionolor]

My high standards are hella low — I’m impressed by people who know the difference between -, –, and — and actually use them correctly