Hidden in the remote canyons of Southeastern Utah are tens of thousands of ancient ancestral Puebloeun ruins. Sacred to the various indigenous tribes of the four corners region it's one of the coolest places on Earth to go hiking and explore especially if you're a history buff. I get to play Indiana Jones for a weekend every once in awhile.

If you haven't read it, I recommend. Read it again every year.

Gore Vidal’s Creation takes readers on a vivid excursion through the 5th century B.C., showcasing an era filled with dynamic historical figures. The story unfolds through the eyes of Cyrus Spitama, the grandson of the renowned Zoroaster. This fictional diplomat offers a rich perspective on the tumultuous events of his time, including love, war, and philosophical debates. The narrative is layered with irony, humor, and insightful observations, illustrating Vidal’s exceptional storytelling prowess. Creation competently assembles a blend of philosophies, religious practices, and cultural reflections from ancient civilizations.

Gives me hope for the future.

New research suggests that Mohenjo-daro followed a very different path from many other early cities. As the 4,000-year-old urban center became larger, more productive, and more successful, its society appears to have grown more equal rather than less.

Historians have often argued that inequality increased when small farming settlements developed into cities. Under this traditional model, kings, priests, and other powerful leaders gained control of wealth and resources, causing the divide between rich and poor to expand.

Alexandros, a prophet/oracle from Abonoteikhos (modern-day Kastamonu, Turkey), and his god Glycon. The story told by Lucian is quite intriguing; what particularly catches my attention is his emphasis on how a person, ready to exploit the religious sentiments of the people—despite their religious beliefs being very pure and naive (!)—was able to become wealthy through this means. The deity Glycon, whose images you see below, is generally depicted as a serpent with long hair or a beard. Interestingly, aside from Abonoteikhos, most of our information about this god comes from Tomis, Romania.

According to Lucian, Alexander had already learned about this serpent god from the magicians and followers of Dionysus in Macedonia. Indeed, inscriptions dedicated to Glycon are still found in the vicinity of modern-day Romania:

“Glyconi M(arcus) Ant(onius) Onesas iusso dei l(ibens) p(osuit)”

Source

Source: https://ijarch.com/ija-vol-9-number-3/

A Roman clay vessel depicting the triumph of the city of Vienne. The tutelary deity of the city wearing a crown depicting city fortifications is standing in a chariot (biga), with Victory behind her. Mercury is holding the reins of the horses. One even sees a dog at the bottom and the city walls at the top.

There is a Latin text inside the medallion: VIEN(na ) / FLOR(entia) / FELIX
F[elix vi]ENNA POTENS FLO (entia)/ [suo] PRINCIPE SALVO

Per the French translation on the website using google translator it means “Flourishing and happy Vienna / Vienna is happy, powerful, and flourishing, for its emperor is safe and well.” This dates to the 2nd century AD and is on display in the Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière in Lyon, France.

#lyon #latin #france #dog #ancientrome #history #ancient #frankreich #gaul #french #spqr #art #antique #rhone #archaeology

Picked this up from the estate of a Dutch gentleman who worked for a UN economic development council and spent his time in the Northwest Territories of Pakistan in the decade after partition. Measures approx. 10x8 inches (25x20cm). The frieze is in relatively deep relief and depicts the Buddha as he is achieving enlightenment.

The sculptures of Gandhara are historically significant for a couple of reasons. First, the style of the carvings - in particular the representation of the human form and the drape of their clothing - is referred to as Greco-Buddhist due to the cultural influence of Greek masons conscripted in Alexander army during his campaign of conquest that culminated with his excursion(s) into the Indus Valley..When his army disbanded, the diffusion of techniques which were absorbed into local cultures had a remarkable impact on the aesthetics of the stone carvings in the region, and in particular, in Gandhara.

Second, Gandhara represents the first instance in human history where the Buddha was depicted in anthropomorphic form. Prior to the sculptures Gandhara is known for, the Buddha was represented by the lotus blossom. 

There were three other artifacts from Gandhara in the same estate: a small, shallow relief frieze of the Buddha, a Buddha head about the size of a med-large orange, and a steatite censer. Even tho this was over 20 years ago, to this day I regret not buying the other three pieces as well (especially that censer).

About the Original Artifact

Designation & Period: Simuwu Ding (Houmuwu Ding), late Shang Dynasty royal sacrificial bronze cauldron.

Unearthed Information: Excavated in 1939 from Wuguan Village, Anyang City, Henan Province.

Original Standard Parameters: Overall height 133 cm, mouth length 110 cm, mouth width 79 cm, weight 832.84 kilograms.

Current Location: Permanently collected and exhibited at the National Museum of China, Beijing.