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  1. Today
  2. In Leicestershire in the early 2000s, a rusted metallic objects encased in soil were uncovered. Over two decades the artifacts were restored, using 3D scanning. The fragments formed a Roman helmet. Eventually 80% of the helmet (known as the Hallaton Helmet) was restored, allowing a detailed replica. It is a thought that the helmet, along with numerous Roman coins and Iron Age artifacts, were buried within a suspected shrine from around 43 AD. The helmet was ornate and intricately designed, possibly belonging to a high-ranking Roman cavalry officer. The decorations have a wreath “symbolizing military victory and and a scalloping-shaped brow guard displaying a woman’s bust surrounded by animals.” https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/roman-cavalry-helmet-2000-years-old/
  3. Yesterday
  4. Pygmalion

    The pillars of Hercules' temple

    I tend to put the words in the genitive since the structure of the root is usually intact in that case. sepeliō 𐤒𐤁𐤓 to bury, to perform the funeral rites of a man by burning
  5. guidoLaMoto

    The pillars of Hercules' temple

    Interesting etymologies you've presented. Thanks... In regards transiliterations & changes in pronunciation as words evolve from one language to another, consider, for example, how the word Yankee derives from the way the American Indians pronounced the word English. One small detail-- Carthago is the nominative case for Carthage; Carthaginis is the genitive and the root for the other case declensions. And a caveat-- translations of ancient poetry put into rhyming jingle in English are often not very true to the original but just give a general idea of what's going on.
  6. Pygmalion

    The pillars of Hercules' temple

    The Pillars of Hercules function as a boundary but the Greek god associated with boundaries is Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) and ἑρμῆς is also a word for a pillar and ἑρμαῖον a word for barrow and tomb. In Latin Ἑρμῆς is called Mercurius and this name resembles 𐤌𐤋𐤒𐤓𐤕 Melkarth cf. Μελικέρτης Carthage in Latin is Carthāginis and Καρχηδόνος in Greek and by comparison you can see exchange with each letter, the c/κ, t/χ and g/δ. The Phoenician 𐤒𐤓𐤕-𐤇𐤃𐤔𐤕 means terra nova "new land" for the noun 𐤒𐤓𐤕 means terrae (ἐρᾶς) with πόλις its secondary meaning (πόλις comes from 𐤒𐤓𐤕) and 𐤇𐤃𐤔𐤕 means ὑπόγυος; nigh at hand, fresh, new (ὑπόγυιος, ὑπογυιότατος). Ἑλλάδος "Hellas" and Γραικός "Greece" came from 𐤒𐤓𐤕 too. In Appian, Wars in Spain 1.2 the difference between Ταρτησσός (Tartessos) and Καρπησσός (Carpessos) is merely a matter of dialect, these words maybe a compound of νῆσος, νῆσσος, νᾶσσος "Island" cf. Πελοπόννησος (Pelopónnēsos).
  7. Last week
  8. Pygmalion

    The pillars of Hercules' temple

    Appian describes two versions of Hercules, the Theban and the Tyrian; however, in Greek and Latin sources, Thebes is always described as being founded by Phoenicians. In the Aeneid Dido is called a Sidonian (Sidonia Dido) and daughter of Belus who is also father of Palamedes (Belidae nomen Palamedis) and Pygmalion in Verg. A. 1.335. I think Palamedes (Παλαμήδης) Pygmalion (Πυγμαλίων) Cadmus (Κάδμος) are the same figure and also Dido (Διδὼ) and Europa (Εὐρώπη). Mela says that the temple housed remains of Hercules, so then it is a tomb, in fact the Homeric definition of στήλη (Stele) is block or slab used as a memorial i.e. gravestone and this is what Phoenicians did, so the temple/tomb housing the remains of Hercules would also have a στήλη. The Phoenician word for στήλη is 𐤑𐤉𐤅𐤍 (κίων) which is also the word for Zion for the city of Zion was a Necropolis (νεκρόπολις) or a Tophet burial site. στήλη 𐤑𐤉𐤅𐤍
  9. guidoLaMoto

    The pillars of Hercules' temple

    I was referrkng to D of Halacanarssus. His Roman Antiquities was published in 7 BC.
  10. Pygmalion

    The pillars of Hercules' temple

    Herakles and Hercules are very much the same god with minor differences and not the same Hercules whom Fabius Maximus was offering to in Appian, Wars in Spain 11.65. Appian, Wars in Spain 1.2 It is my opinion that Tartessus was then the city on the seashore which is now called Carpessus. I think also that the Phoenicians built the temple of Hercules which stands at the straits. The religious rites performed there are still of Phoenician type, and the god is considered by the worshippers the Tyrian, not the Theban, Hercules. But I will leave these matters to the antiquaries. Here it mentions two distinct versions of Hercules, one called ὁ Τυρίων (Tyrian) and the other called ὁ Θηβαῖός (Thebes)
  11. A fragment of a Roman-era lamp, dating from the 4th-5th century AD, has been found near an old Roman fort along the Scorpions Ascent, a hiking trail in the desert Arava region south of the Dead Sea and located in the modern Israeli Negev desert. The lamp fragment was found by a student who was on a field trip. The origins of the lamp was Petra. The trail, where the lamp fragment was found, was once an ancient trade route connected to the copper mines in the region. The region was patrolled and secured by Roman soldiers, who manned a series a forts along the route. A similar oil lamp was found in the same location 90 years before (see picture below): https://allisrael.com/a-unique-1600-year-old-roman-oil-lamp-unearthed-by-an-israeli-pupil https://www.timesofisrael.com/teen-hiker-stumbles-on-1600-year-old-roman-oil-lamp/amp/ https://www.edexlive.com/amp/story/news/2024/Mar/27/israel-student-accidentally-discovers-roman-era-lamp-during-school-trip
  12. Pygmalion

    The pillars of Hercules' temple

    Ancient Greek writings emphasize the Phoenician origin of Dionysus by portraying him as the grandson of Cadmus of Tyre. It appears that Hercules was originally the grandson of Cadmus. The largest temple the Romans built was the temple of Bacchus that they built it in Phoenicia in what is known as Baalbek (πόλις Διός καὶ Βάκχου/Urbs Jovis et Bacchi).
  13. guidoLaMoto

    The pillars of Hercules' temple

    In regards the Pillars, did not Plato claim they were mountains at Gibraltar, and did he not pre-date the other authors cited above? In regards religion, don't forget we're not talking verifiable science/history but figments of human imagination (When you talk to God, you're praying. When He talks to you, you're schizophrenic.)...Notice how St Nick morphed over the years from a nice old priest leaving apples on doorsteps to the fat guy in red velvet invented by a Cocoa Cola advertising guy, eventually flying thru the air with reindeer, acquiring elves and a North Pole toy shop. Dionysus emphasized the Greek origins of the Italians. They no doubt evolved different details in the religion originally carried to Italy. Cf-- an early 20th century prayer meeting in Appalachia to High Mass by The Pope in Rome.
  14. Interesting article. I know nothing about ancient mythology. I got myself into an ancient rabbit hole, nevertheless, when I realized that the Greek Herakles is different from the Roman Hercules. The article below delves into their differences: http://messagenetcommresearch.com/myths/essays/herakleshercules.html This article emphasizes their similarites: https://ancient-literature.com/heracles-vs-hercules/
  15. In Strabo the nature and whereabouts of the pillars of Hercules' was subject to debate. the strait by Calpe Onoba, a city of Iberia: considering that here were the Pillars They reached Gades and founded the temple in the eastern part of the island, the capes in the strait are the pillars of tis temple The pillars are two small islands, one of which is named the Island of Hera (Juno) Planctæ and the Symplgades supposing them to be the Pillars, which Pindar calls the Gates of Gades Strabo 3.5.5 For nothing else resembles pillars around the strait but those eight-cubit bronze pillars in the temple of Heracles in Gadeira (οὐδὲν γὰρ ἐοικέναι στήλαις τὰ περὶ τὸν πορθμόν. οἱ δὲ τὰς ἐν τῷ Ἡρακλείῳ τῷ ἐν Γαδείροις χαλκᾶς ὀκταπήχεις) The most interesting theory is that these are temple pillars and the wiki entry of the Temple of Hercules says it was flanked by two large columns according to Latin historian Pomponius Mela. In Herodotus, the temple of Hercules in Tyre was flanked by two large columns, and this Hercules was the dead hero. Hence, Pomponius mentions that the temple housed the remains of Hercules. In fact, the ghost or phantom of this deceased Hercules was encountered by Odysseus within the gates of Hades in Odyssey 11.601. In Homer, the term used is "Πύλαι Ἀΐδαο" (Gates of Hades), and the pillars of Hercules are also referred to as "Πύλαι Γαδειρίδες" (Gates of Gades). Herodotus describes one of the pillars as emerald and Pomponius Mela talks about a tree at the Hercules's temple whose fruits were said to be emeralds, but I have determined that these fruits are pears through my study of Phoenician language and this fruit is also sacred to Hero/Juno. The golden apples associated with the daughters of Hesperus are pears which are said to reside near Gades. cf. Island of Juno. Fabius Maximus here sailed through the Straits of Gades offering sacrifice to Hercules. In Plato, Critias 113 from which the story of Atlantis came from It mentions that the twin brother of Atlas, son of Cleito was named "Gadeirus Eumelos", the eponym of Gades and "Cleito" (Κλειτὼ) resembles the suffix of the name Hercules (Ἡρακλῆς) and the word κλεῖς (Lt. Clavis), a word for straits. κλεῖς (Kleis) of promontories, straits, etc., Κληῗδες or “Κληΐδες (LSJ). This also why in Rev 1:18 it reads κλεις αδου "Keys of Hades" (Κληῗδες Ἀΐδαο) see also Isaiah 38:10 𐤔𐤏𐤓𐤉 𐤔𐤀𐤅𐤋 (Πύλαι Ἀΐδαο) "Gates of Hades" and Psalm 116:3 𐤌𐤑𐤓𐤉𐤟𐤔𐤀𐤅𐤋 (Στένον Ἀΐδαο) "Straits of Hades". The Phoenician refer to Hercules under the name Melcart who also appears in Greek mythology as "Melicertes Palaemon" and this hero also died, Dolphins carried his deceased body into the port of Isthmus, a narrow piece of land connecting two large areas hence also envisioning "pillars of Hercules", Isthmus is called πόντοιο πύλαι "gates of the sea", Κορίνθου πύλαι "gates of Corinth" and Πελοποννήσου τὰς πύλας "Gates of Peloponnese" in ancient Greek writing.
  16. According to Appian, Carthage was founded fifty years before the capture of Troy, even though Aeneas, a veteran of this war, had a relationship with Dido, the supposed founder of Carthage. Should make a thread discussing this.
  17. A construction site at Pompeii has been uncovered. The archaeologists found working tools, stacked roof tiles, bricks, and heaps of lines and stones (see pictures below). According to the article, archaeologists also found amphorae storage jars thought to be used to ‘quench’ the lime used for plastering. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pompeii-building-site-reveals-ancient-roman-construction-methods-2024-03-25/#:~:text=The archaeologists found working tools,the Massachusetts Institute of Technology https://www.turkiyenewspaper.com/amp/culture/21105 Construction site found at Pompeii reveals details of ancient building techniques – and politics - CBS News
  18. A section of a Roman wall has been uncovered in Aachen, Germany, near the Belgium border. It is thought to have been built after Aachen was overrun by Frankish forces in the third century AD. Roman civil administration collapsed in the area around AD 375. The last Roman coins found in the area are from the time of the Emperor Gratian (AD 375-383). https://arkeonews.net/ancient-roman-3rd-century-defensive-wall-found-in-germany/ http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/69767 https://archaeologymag.com/2024/03/roman-defensive-wall-found-in-aachen-germany/
  19. It looks like modern biker chicks descended from Scythian women....Tattoos were of course a customary practice from the earliest times. Otzti the Bolzano Ice Man had them 5000 yrs ago....Internalizing a vanquished foe by drinking his blood or eating his heart also is more ancient than the Scythians. It was a practice still in vogue among the Amerindians when first encountered by Europeans. We moderns should avoid judging the ancients by our own standards of morals and conduct.
  20. I thought the common wisdom was that the Carthaginians were Phoenicians (poenus or punicus in Latin, hence Punic Wars). I should think that Dido was a poetic invention of Vergil. That whole dalliance was not mentioned by Dionysus of Halicanarssus in his history of the origins of Rome. Vergil meant the story to be a romantic explanation of the continued competition between the two cities.... He was probably looking forward to selling the movie rights to The Aeneid and figured it needed a love interest to spice it up for improved box office appeal. You know how that goes. Carthago delenda est!
  21. This Dido figure is still a mystery, was she invented by Romans and did the Carthaginians knew of her. The first chief of Carthage was either Hanno I c. 580 – c. 556 BC Or Magon I c. 550 – c. 530 BCE but nothing is known where these people came from. I have studied Ancient Greek and Phoenician and just now dabbling with Latin.
  22. Gordon: Thanks for the review. I had written about the exhibit a couple of months ago (see post below) but I had no firsthand perspective. Your description makes the exhibit sound better than I had imagined. Thank you, again.
  23. Decimation was far more brutal than that. Started by Appius Claudius Sabinus in 471 BC in the Volscian War when troops exhibited cowardice, a cohort was selected and every tenth man, selected by casting lots, was condemned to being beaten to death with clubs wielded by his nine comrades....I guess old Appius never heard of the phrase "verbum sapienti sufficit." Indivuals found to exhibit cowardice were scouraged in front of their comrades and then beheaded. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0160%3Abook%3D2%3Achapter%3D59
  24. It's a bit of a stretch to equate charcoal found against a wall as proof that the Roman culture persisted for a long time. That sounds more like squatters seeking refuge in an abandoned building....Maybe if the fire was in a fireplace? OTOH-- logical deduction can bring us to the outline of plausible scenarios in the second half of the film. After all, when the govt fell, there was no "last helicopter out of Saigon." The Romans were left behind to fend for themselves. There is strength in numbers, so they would have organized themselves in smaller, local groups. They would not have immediately abandoned walled, better protected towns (where would they go?)...Outlying villas were selfsustaining, so lack of central govt would not effect their day to day functioning-- better for the peons to stay on with steady room &board than to venture out on their own to what?
  25. guidoLaMoto

    The Roman Empire reborn?";.

    You re on the right track, Guy, but you forget Agenda 21 and 2030 Agenda.......Why do you think they want to take away the private ownership of guns? Even the Americans, once so proud and jealous of their freedom, have fallen victim to the "frog in luke warm water" phenomenon. It irritates me when the news readers refer to the American president as "the leader of the free world."...I have to wonder what free world they are referring to? Culturally, America has a Roman Empire effect on the whole world. English has become, thanks originally to The Brits, the universal tongue, as was Latin, and Hollywood and Rock & Roll have had the same effect as CJ Caesar in spreading and homogenizing our world culture.
  26. Earlier
  27. Here is a very thought-provoking video by Sebastian (Maiorianus) concerning the Roman presence and influence in Britain during the late Empire and later. The video was at least partially inspired by the Roman villa found at Chedworth, which was active at least AD 480 (see post below):
  28. guy

    The Roman Empire reborn?";.

    No because a reformulated Roman Empire would presuppose a highly-centralized authoritarian central state that could project its power over a multitude of now-independent and autonomous nation states. The European Union (EU) is as close to a “modern Rome” as could be achieved peacefully. Unlike Rome, the European Union is a decentralized state that depends on the member countries to enforce the regulations and policies made by the EU. Unlike Ancient Rome, the EU doesn’t have its own military to impose its will and control over its member states (for example, against those unruly and independent-minded Brits).
  29. I went to the #LegionExhibition in London last week. As the name suggests, the exhibition is very much focused on the Roman military, and specifically during the Principate (spanning 27 BC - AD 284). There were some terrific artefacts on show - my favourite being the crocodile armour! But the smartest thing about the exhibition, in my opinion, was how they threaded it all together using the career records of an Egyptian legionary named Claudius Terentianus. A papyrus archive found at Karanis, Egypt, contained several letters Claudius had written and sent home to his family. They reveal how he tried and failed to join the legions in AD 110, thanks to a lack of satisfactory references. So, he instead joined the marines - a less prestigious and lucrative career path. His duties would have included building roads and guarding the grain fleet harbours as well as long and hazardous sea voyages. The letters tell of very practical and human things - his struggles to fit in with his marine colleagues, his need for new shoes and socks, and of his injuries sustained when fighting to supress a revolt. He was deployed in the east for a time, likely in Emperor Trajan's war against Rome's rival superpower, Parthia. Having proved himself he finally achieved his goal and was permitted to join the legions! Here's a couple of photos (of Augustus, and of the Dura Europos shield!) Full gallery with commentary is on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GordonDohertyAuthor/posts/pfbid02AqWchBNFauQHLTcK3QSCTLCxziY67inptoe68vHwr1jPAzA9jHXNALNh8ZXW2C6gl
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