UMD Classics @umdclassics-blog - Tumblr Blog

greatliteraryquotations

Men willingly believe what they wish.

- Julius Caesar

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt.”

(via greatliteraryquotations)

#quotes #classics

atlasobscura

The Secrets of Roman Concrete

It’s the most common human-made material on earth, the second most consumed substance after water, and the veritable foundation of contemporary society. Despite all that, and the fact that modern concrete is by many measures an advanced building material, it pales in comparison to Roman concrete. For proof, simply compare today’s version—which often shows degradation after 50 years—with concrete-based Roman monuments that still stand after two millenia. Even more impressive are underwater Roman structures that show little decay in the presence of harsh marine environments.

More on what the ancients can teach us about building, in Architect Magazine…

#classics #roman history

tanaquil

greek-myth

( T H E T I T A N S )

“She [Gaia the Earth] lay with Ouranos (Sky) and bare deep-swirling Okeanos, Koios and Krios and Hyperion and Iapetos, Theia and Rhea, Themis and Mnemosyne and gold-crowned Phoibe and lovely Tethys. After them was born Kronos the wily, youngest and most terrible of her children.” - Hesiod

(requested by the lovely asriels)

EDITED VERSION

#i love this so much #greek mythology #titans

songesoleil

“Athéna”

Art by Erté. (1892-1990).

#greek mythology #art

sarioux

olympian moodboard (2/12) + athena ; goddess of wise thoughts.

#greek mythology #athena

greek--myths

Gorgon_City_-_Sirens

greek--myths

Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. From the blood that spurted from her neck sprang Chrysaor and Pegasus, her two sons by Poseidon. The severed head, which had the power of turning into stone all who looked upon it, was given to Athena, who placed it in her shield; according to another account, Perseus buried it in the marketplace of Argos.

Keep reading

#medusa #greek mythology

greek--myths

Head of the god Helios, with the traites of Alexander the Great by Unknown (2nd century BC)

HELIOS (or Helius) was the Titan god of the sun. He was also the guardian of oaths and the god of gift of sight. Helios dwelt in a golden palace located in the River Okeanos at the eastern ends of the earth. From there he emerged each dawn driving a chariot drawn by four, fiery winged steeds and crowned with the aureole of the sun. When he reached the the land of the Hesperides (Evenings) in the West he descended into a golden cup which carried him around the northern streams of Okeanos back to his rising place in the East.

Once his son Phaethon attempted to drive the chariot of the sun, but losing control, set the earth on fire. Zeus then struck him down with a thunderbolt.

Helios was depicted as a handsome, usually beardless, man clothed in purple robes and crowned with the shining aureole of the sun. His sun-chariot was drawn by four steeds, sometimes winged.

Helios was identified with several gods including fiery Hephaistos and light-bringing Apollon.

#greek mythology

foggydevils

MYTHOLOGY EDITS || ORPHEUS & EURYDICE , inspired by (x)

The last I saw of you was a dark oval. Though I knew how this failure would hurt you, I had to fold like a gray moth and let go.

You could not believe I was more than your echo.

#greek mythology

petales

MYTH MOODBOARDS: apollo.

there’s hymns in the crook of his neck, sundust ignites his gilt skin. they say he is wrought from harp string and sun’s ray, but i know better. his laughter comes in a thick culmination of stardust and sun blast. it’s consuming, intoxicating. as if you could get drunk off of the gold of his eyelash.

#greek mythology #apollo

thoodleoo

an etymology for you all: the word enthusiasm comes from the greek ἔνθεος, “possessed by a god,” and οὐσία, “being.” so, etymologically, enthusiasm is not just passion, it is divinely-inspired passion, the frenzy that occurs when a god descends upon you. so if anyone ever makes fun of you for being too passionate, too enthusiastic, don’t bother listening to them. you have ancient gods on your side, divinities who have ruled men’s hearts for millennia, and they are a lot less forgiving.

#text post #classics