They apologize (rightfully so) for their earlier confusing publication, stating that the press headlines were “a bit exaggerated”.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Unknown city recently “discovered” in Greece is well-known after all
They apologize (rightfully so) for their earlier confusing publication, stating that the press headlines were “a bit exaggerated”.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Alexander the Great, Man and God by Ian Worthington
Sadly, this book does not make it to my top ten, but that does not mean it does not deserve a place on the bookshelves of the true Alexander aficionado.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Another wave of destruction hitting Palmyra
Unique to this temple was its most sacred part, the naps or adyton. Following Semitic traditions, there were two such shrines one on each side. The roof of the left wing showed the seven gods and seven planets surrounded by the twelve signs of the zodiac and the niche underneath once housed the statue of the main god. A smaller statue apparently stood in the opposite southern shrine and could be carried around during the processions on heydays. Amazingly, this ceiling was cut from one single monolith stone. The entire sanctuary is now reduced to dust, including the fresco on the wall facing the entrance in between the two altars. (See also: Good news from Palmyra?)
For those who want to have an idea of what Palmyra looked like before Isis murdered the city, please visit this link or my album on Pinterest.
Friday, January 20, 2017
What the Stadiasmus Patarensis in Patara is about
Monday, January 16, 2017
The Lycian Way by Kate Clow
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Two key afterthoughts on Gaugamela
Interestingly, among the clay tablets, there is another fragment that seems to be a part of Alexander’s address to the people of Babylon, in which he reassures them that he will not “go into their houses”. This corresponds to known Greek sources mentioning that the Macedonians were not allowed to loot Babylon when they entered the city after their victory at Gaugamela.
[Pictures from Oliver Stone's movie Alexander]
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Crossing the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers
In mid-July 331 BC, Alexander sent Hephaistion ahead to build two
bridges over the Euphrates. Such crossing points
were well-known in antiquity, and Alexander's intelligence must have
provided the necessary information. The most amazing part of such expeditions
is the logistics involved. It is said that Alexander transported his
ships in separate elements from
Hephaistion's forces included carpenters and engineers who directed
the hauling of the ship's parts, but also enough soldiers to do the foraging
and to withstand any unexpected attack by local tribes or those people still
faithful to the Persians. The crossing point was near Thapsacus, where the river
was about
Meanwhile, King Darius knew that Alexander had to cross the river. He sent his most experienced general, Mazaeus, with instructions to burn the crops ahead of the enemy route. Although the harvest had already taken place, this order was carried out, and little was left to burn. Besides, this policy had no effect since Alexander took a more northerly route which Darius had not expected.
Once one dry land, Alexander gave his men a well-deserved rest. This was at the time of the moon eclipse that occurred on 20 September, and it has been recorded that Alexander sacrificed to the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth.
[Bottom picture is from World Archaeology]