Painting of the Organizer of the sacrifice (1780 BCE), Mari Herodotus is fascinating, and I have dreamed of Mesopotamia many times while reading his chapters about it. This gallery is going to take you through the rooms dedicated to Mesopotamia in the Louvre. Herodotus writes about Babylon, and Hit, a city near the Euphrates River in his Histories. Cyrus had made all the mainland submit to him, he attacked the… Read more
Hoplite and his Charioteer (540–530BCE) National Library Paris In Hour 25, we have had many wonderful discussions about clothes and weapons. Here are two words from the Forum discussion about clothes and armor: κυνέη [kuneē], ‘greaves’ θώραξ [thōrax], ‘breastplate’. In the Gallery below, there is a picture of Pericles with a helmet. It is said that he always wore a helmet because his head had a strange shape. On a picture… Read more
Zeus (200 CE) British Museum Greek Mythology has influenced both literature and arts. The Minotaur, Μῑνώταυρος, and Ariadne have inspired artists. The Minotaur was killed by Theseus who was helped by Ariadne. This description from a glossary to Philostratus on Heroes tells us more about him. Theseus Athenian hero, son of Aigeus or Poseidon and eventually a king of Athens. The legends surrounding Theseus include numerous labors in Attica, partly influenced by… Read more
Plato, Socrates. Marble. (100-200CE).Louvre. We don’t have to wait until after we die to meet Gods and Heroes of Ancient Greece. We may read poetry, prose, tragedy, or admire sculptures, vases or paintings. I’ll quote Aristotle and Plato from the Sourcebook[1]: Both understanding and wonder are, for the most part, pleasurable. In wonder there is the desire to understand… . Since both understanding and wonder are pleasurable, it is necessary… Read more
~A Guest Post by The Oinops Study Group~ And such is the nature of journeys that when one ends another begins. Before the Oinops Study Group moves on to another adventure, we would like to share with you this gallery of our journey together, and this last posting of our shared thoughts. One of Jenna’s favorite quotes Sarah’s favorite quote Janet’s favorite quote Linear B “oinops” A second favorite quote for… Read more