“Turquoise is a blue-green copper-aluminum phosphate mineral much associated with ancient Egypt (15.3.205). Its English name, which has cognates in most European languages, probably derives from its association with Turkestan, a source of this semiprecious gemstone, or with the Turkish empire, an agent in its historic importation to the West. It is a relatively rare…
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The Art of Classical Greece (ca. 480–323 B.C.) – The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Terracotta amphora (jar) ca. 490 B.C. Attributed to the Berlin Painter “This work is a masterpiece of Greek vase-painting because it brings together many features of Athenian culture in an artistic expression of the highest quality. The shape itself is central to the effect. Through the symmetry, scale, and luminously glossy glaze on the obverse,…
Ancient Greek Vase Painting
Niobid Painter, Niobid Krater, Attic red-figure calyx-krater, c. 460-450 B.C.E., 54 x 56 cm (Musée du Louvre) Useful for scholars “Pottery is virtually indestructible. Though it may break into smaller pieces (called sherds), these would have to be manually ground into dust in order to be removed from the archaeological record. As such, there is…
Great Greek Myths 17 – Heracles: The Man Who Became God
We all know about Heracles’ unequalled strength, and the twelve labours he had to carry out, but we know a great deal less about the way in which his life was turned upside down by a series of terrible curses. …
Great Greek Myths 10 – Athena: Armed Wisdom
The Goddess of War Athena was the wisest, most level headed and rational deity. She was born out of Zeus’ skull, wearing a helmet and holding a spear. She was the protector of heroes, the State, and mankind, to whom she passed on many inventions. The gods were both cunning and intelligent. When used together,…
Great Greek Myths 08– Dionysus – An Outsider in the City
Zeus had a reputation for being a seducer of women. One day he lay with a mortal – Semele, the daughter of the king of Thebes. Their son Dionysos was brought up by nymphs. One day he discovered the vine, and decided to travel the world teaching mankind the art of making wine out of…
Great Greek Myths 04 – Orpheus, A Hymn of Impossible Love
On certain evenings, the constellation of Lyra is visible in the skies. Following Orpheus’ death, Zeus placed the constellation in the sky, as a tribute to the greatest poet and musician in Greek mythology. Watched over by the muses from birth, Orpheus’ talent enchanted nature, both trees and animals alike. A brave young man, Orpheus…
Great Greek Myths 01 – Zeus and the Conquest of Power
To earn the title of Master of Olympus, Zeus took many important steps, and overcame many challenges. His story is one of an incredible conquest of power, dating back to time immemorial, when the world began. Born from Chaos, Gaia – Mother Earth – mated with Uranus, the sky. After defeating his father, who was…