#AncientGreece

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Marble head of an athlete ~ c. 138–192 CE

Although we don’t have this youth’s body, their identification as an athlete is suggested by the fillet, an adornment associated with athletic victory. This Roman statue is a reimagining of a Greek statue from the C5th BCE.

But just revel in the curls! There’s a beautiful lush texture to them. The artistry on display is phenomenal.

🏛 The Met

Description from the museum: “This head of a youth wearing a fillet (band) must have belonged to the statue of a victorious athlete. He probably rested one arm lightly on his head; the remains of a rectangular support can still be seen among his curls. Roman copies often conformed to contemporary taste, and the contrast between polished flesh and deeply drilled hair on this head would have held special appeal for clients in the second century A.D.”

14 March: What role does ethnicity play in your world?

My works are set in (mythical) for the most part, so I try to reflect ancient attitudes on ethnicity. Three of my stories are set in Asgard, with the Greek gods Hermes and Dionysos visiting the Norse gods. It was fun showcasing their differences and common ground.

For thos interested, the first part of the "Adventures in Asgard" is free to read here:
https://eroticmythology.com/free-short-story-hermes-dionysos/

🗣️ A new tale of Greek colonisation

🌊 SICILY GRECE/MAGNA GRAECIA: how to tell the story of a seminal relationship, that built the giving shape to our cultural imaginary. An exhibition of extraordinary artefacts from various of , southern Italy and from Athens at the Salinas Archaeological of Palermo
curated by F. Frisone,
C. Greco

@antiquidons
@archaeodons @AimeeMaroux @phistorians

A new tale of Greek colonisation

Bronze portrait of a Greek goddess ~ c. 300-270 BCE

This wonderfully detailed portrait suggests an idealised form of a goddess, often thought to be Artemis or Aphrodite, as both were connected with wavy and loosely bound hair.

Even so, the identity of the portrait is not secure, and other candidates include Arsinoë II, who was queen of Egypt in the 270s, but of the Ptolemy line which may explain the Greek style.

🏛️ MFA Boston, 96.712

Description from the Museum: "On iconographic grounds, this life-size female head has been considered a portrait of the Ptolemaic queen Arsinoe II (316-270 B.C.) or an image of a goddess, such as Artemis or Aphrodite. The wavy hair is parted in the center and encircled twice by a fillet (ribbon). Long, thin eyebrows frame heavy eyelids, long nose, and full lips. The eyes, now missing, would have been inserted into the hollow sockets; the lips were coated in another metal. Condition: Irregular break along the base of the face. Crack along the chin, which was reattached. Two cracks along the left cheek. Large gashes on the top of the head and large dent along the right side of the forehead. Green patina."