Category Archives: ancient art

Sky Beasts of the Deep Past!

Posted on January 5, 2023 by JE

Some interesting stuff at the Grauniad today. “Ancient writing system” is something of a misnomer. It seems to be a lunar calendar, with relevance for ancient astronomy. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jan/05/amateur-archaeologist-uncovers-ice-age-writing-system

Posted in ancient art, art, astronomy | Comments Off on Sky Beasts of the Deep Past!

“Look Up, Not Down!”

Posted on January 1, 2023 by JE

Κύκλοψ: βλέπετ᾽ ἄνω καὶ μὴ κάτω. Χορός: ἰδού: πρὸς αὐτὸν τὸν Δί᾽ ἀνακεκύφαμεντά τ᾽ ἄστρα, καὶ τὸν Ὠρίωνα δέρκομαι. —Euripides, Cyclops Cyclops: Look up, not down. Chorus: I am looking up! I’m looking ‘way up!

Posted in ancient art, art, fantasy, fantasy art, Myth & Legend | Comments Off on “Look Up, Not Down!”

Let’s Give Vespasian a Great Big Hand

Posted on January 1, 2023 by JE

Prandente eo quondam canis extrarius e trivio manum humanam intulit mensaeque subiecit. —Suetonius, Divus Vespasianus 5.4 “Once, while he was having lunch, a stray dog carried in a human hand  from the crossroads and threw it under his table.” This is one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient art, dogs, Rome | Tagged | Comments Off on Let’s Give Vespasian a Great Big Hand

Coca þola

Posted on December 30, 2022 by JE

I was looking up þola in Cleasby & Vigfusson this afternoon even though I was pretty sure I knew what it meant, which is a totally normal thing to do. They said it meant “endure”, as I expected, and connected … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient art, Myth & Legend, words | Comments Off on Coca þola

Cave, canis.

Posted on December 20, 2022 by JE
Posted in ancient art, dogs | Tagged | Comments Off on Cave, canis.

Merv?

Posted on December 18, 2022 by JE

A gryphon holding up the corner of a sarcophagus. I took this photo in the Vatican Museum, in the now-distant summer of 2008. I was collecting gryphons that year.

Posted in ancient art, Rome | Comments Off on Merv?