DOCSLIB.ORG

The Lighting of God's Face During Solar Stands in The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, Vol. 18, No 3, (2018), pp. 225-246 Copyright © 2018 MAA Open Access. Printed in Greece. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.2543786 THE LIGHTING OF GOD’S FACE DURING SOLAR STANDS IN THE APOLLO TEMPLE DELPHI Vlachos, A.1, Liritzis, I.1 and Georgopoulos, A.2 1University of the Aegean, Dept of Mediterranean Studies, Lab of Archaeometry, 1 Demokratias Str, Rhodes 85132, Greece 2National Technical University of Athens, School of Rural & Surveying Engineering, Dept of Topography, Iroon Polytechniou 915773 Zografos, Athens, Greece Received: 01/07/2018 Accepted: 25/11/2018 Corresponding author: I. Liritzis ([email protected]) ABSTRACT The direction of solar light and how it relates with the Apollo Temple in Delphi is investigated. Following up earlier investigation of defining the time to delivering an oracle and the historical reported position of a golden Apollo statue in the rear of the main structure (opisthodomos, adyton or Temple‘s sanctum) the sun lighting the statue‘s face during selected solar stands is virtually constructed. Based on both ancient and con- temporary sources, an accurately-oriented 3D model of the Temple was created, which incorporated win- dows in the sanctum area. A light and shadow study followed to establish the movement of shadows and presence of sunlight around and inside the Temple, during the important days for the ancient cult. It is shown that the shining of God‘s golden statue would have been possible, through windows, giving a dis- tinct impression of Apollo‘s presence in Delphi especially during his absence in the three winter months to the hyperborean lands between winter solstice and spring equinox. KEYWORDS: Apollo Temple, Delphi, solar stands, lighting, oracles, calendar, solstice, equinox, 3D, adyton, rendering 226 A. VLACHOS et al. 1. INTRODUCTION be it from declaring war to establishing a colony, from a person, or a city, but during the oracular The ancient Greeks were capable of mastering ce- days, the oracles of the temple were the guiding lestial bodies‘ orbits and their periods, thus estab- truth of god Apollo via its mediator priestess Pythia. lishing an accurate calendar for their multiple needs The timing of delivered oracles were closely related e.g. cultic feasts, religious celebrations, travelling to the movement of stellar objects, especially the especially navigation, trade, exploration, coloniza- constellations of Lyra and Cygnus, of the most im- tion, cultivation, to mention but a few (Hannah, portant and favourite ones to Apollo. The time for 2005, 2015; Castro, 2015; Blomberg & Henriksson, prophecy would begin during March, the vernal 1999; Seiradakis & Edmunds, 2018). equinox, and last until the winter solstice, when, ac- The change of the sun‘s orbit and position in the sky cording to legend, Apollo would leave for the land and its attribution to the deity – the sun-god - as the of the Hyperboreans, to cleanse himself for the kill- central figure of celestial space, as well as the depic- ing of Python before taking over Delphi. The time to tion of the reflecting rays around its face of the stat- deliver an oracle at the beginning and the end 3- ue, are most intriguing aspects related to the cult month period has been determined earlier for Delphi after his name, as well as the geometrical configura- and Didyma, Hierapolis Apollo temples (Liritzis & tion of sunrise across the horizon which reveals itself Castro 2013; Castro et al., 2015). This was well repre- at certain times throughout the day. sented in the movement of Lyra and Cygnus and The Apollo Temple in Delphi was possibly the most their appearance or lack thereof, from the Delphic renowned oracle sanctuary of the ancient Greek night skyscape (Fig.1). world. Prior to any major undertaking would begin, Figure 1: The heliacal rising of Vega above the Faidriades in the northeastern Delphi sky at dawn on 21 December 480 BC (Liritzis & Castro, 2015). The Temple itself was built in that specific loca- tery surrounding the oracular powers of Pythia. The tion and in such a way, to further enhance the mys- site of the oracle of Apollo at Delphi was an antron Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, Vol. 18, No 3, (2018), pp. 225-246 THE LIGHTING OF GOD’S FACE DURING SOLAR STANDS IN THE APOLLO TEMPLE DELPHI 227 (cave) or adyton (restricted inaccessible area) where, The god‘s face shining from sunlight at some of according to the geographer Strabo, fumes rose from the most important oracular dates, such as the sol- the ground to inspire a divine frenzy. stices and equinoxes, would also be vital to the The descriptions provided by Pausanias, docu- Temple from a religious point of view, confirming ment the Temple in great detail and mention a gold- the god departure to the northern lands and his re- en statue of Apollo in the inner sanctum. Aeschylus turn, for the priestess to give oracles again. also described the statues in Hellenic temples as Here we reconstruct on a virtual manner the con- ―golden gods who would look to the east with shin- cept of shining god‘s statue face with his departure ing eyes (Agamemnon, 519-520, ―.. and I greet the and return from the northern lands, in relation to palace, dear home of the Atreid king, their judgement seats earlier found correlation of the constellations rise and the sun-facing gods before it…”). This strongly and orbits in the Delphi night sky, during the year. suggests sunlight reaching directly into the sanctum, Normally, at any one time, there is a reciprocal re- and to the face of the statue that would be much lationship between gas production at a spring and more likely if we consider the openings of one or the water flow: that is, as the amount of water in a more windows, since it would be nearly impossible spring increases gas production reduces. But there is to happen with openings on the front of the Temple. one exception. If the water flows from a deep-seated The windows would also make sense from a prac- aquifer and flows through a shallow gas-bearing tical point of view, as a way to remove the halluci- reservoir, then in that case we can expect more gas nating fumes emerging from the deep ground be- with more water production. In regions where there neath opisthodomos (the intersection of two almost are seismic faults with bituminous gases this status vertical seismic faults). The Temple of Apollo at Del- also may change with the passage of time, as tremors phi is now known to be sited at the intersection of may cause changes in the location of water and gas two major tectonic faults, the Kerna and Delphi fissures. Thus, variation of gases is temperature de- Faults (De Boer et al., 2001) which are part of the pendent. Consequently, there were seasonal varia- Corinth rift zone, a region of crustal spreading. Sub- tions in gas flow through the fissures at the adyton, vertical fissures existed underneath the Temple and most obviously during winter when the temperature sheets of travertine along the largest north- was lower, and the water flow was also reduced. northwest faults provided a pathway along which Thus, during the winter months the ‗pneuma entousi- groundwater enriched with light hydrocarbon gases astikon ‗(spirit of euphoria) was rarely triggered due rose to the surface (see de Boer and Hale, 2000: Fig- to the absence of gas, and this also was the time ure 7; Muller, 1992: Figure 2). Even today, the smell when Apollo was away, in the land of the Hyperbo- of hydrocarbons has been reported in the vicinity of reans. the Temple of Apollo, as well as in the modern town of Delphi (locals to I.Liritzis, pers. commun., 2015). Figure 2: The transits of Lyra and Cygnus in the Delphic sky for the four seasons (after Liritzis & Castro, 2015). Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, Vol. 18, No 3, (2018), pp. 225-246 228 A. VLACHOS et al. Fig.2 shows the appearance of Lyra and Cygnus in Here the shining of god‘s golden statue is proved the Delphic sky for the four seasons of the year. Vis- in relation to the absence of Apollo from holy land of ibility was always going to be a significant factor, as Delphi, via a 3D modelling and taking into account due to weather conditions in the mountains during the sunrise during the year, of declination about 47 winter sometimes it would have been difficult—if degrees a south-eastern arc between the two solstic- not impossible—to observe those constellations. es. However, their absence from the zenith at Delphi in 2. THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE APOLLO January, February and March may have signalled TEMPLE the interval when Apollo was supposedly in Hyper- borean lands. Obviously, the difference in the Angu- The Temple of Apollo in Delphi is of Doric perip- lar Altitude of the horizon between a site on a flat teron type, with a pronaos and an opisthodomos, landscape and one with a high rocky horizon, as at with two Doric columns at each of their entrances. Delphi, meant that the heliacal rising of critical stars This means the main structure is surrounded by one and constellations was delayed at the latter location. row of Doric columns, fifteen on the larger sides and The aforementioned appearance and disappear- six on the smaller ones. The columns were approxi- ance of a particular prominent star or constellation mately 10,7m in height and 1,6m in diameter at their recalls the Egyptian dating based on the Sothic cycle, base. The structure itself is measured at approx.
Recommended publications
  • An Echo of Delphi: the Pythian Games Ancient and Modern Steven Armstrong, F.R.C., M.A

    An Echo of Delphi: the Pythian Games Ancient and Modern Steven Armstrong, F.R.C., M.A

    An Echo of Delphi: The Pythian Games Ancient and Modern Steven Armstrong, F.R.C., M.A. erhaps less well known than today’s to Northern India, and from Rus’ to Egypt, Olympics, the Pythian Games at was that of kaloi k’agathoi, the Beautiful and PDelphi, named after the slain Python the Good, certainly part of the tradition of Delphi and the Prophetesses, were a mani­ of Apollo. festation of the “the beautiful and the good,” a Essentially, since the Gods loved that hallmark of the Hellenistic spirituality which which was Good—and for the Athenians comes from the Mystery Schools. in particular, what was good was beautiful The Olympic Games, now held every —this maxim summed up Hellenic piety. It two years in alternating summer and winter was no great leap then to wish to present to versions, were the first and the best known the Gods every four years the best of what of the ancient Greek religious and cultural human beings could offer—in the arts, festivals known as the Pan-Hellenic Games. and in athletics. When these were coupled In all, there were four major celebrations, together with their religious rites, the three which followed one another in succession. lifted up the human body, soul, and spirit, That is the reason for the four year cycle of and through the microcosm of humanity, the Olympics, observed since the restoration the whole cosmos, to be Divinized. The of the Olympics in 1859. teachings of the Mystery Schools were played out on the fields and in the theaters of the games.
  • Oracle of Apollo Near Oroviai (Northern Evia Island, Greece) Viewed in Its Geοlogical and Geomorphological Context, Βull

    Oracle of Apollo Near Oroviai (Northern Evia Island, Greece) Viewed in Its Geοlogical and Geomorphological Context, Βull

    Mariolakos, E., Nicolopoulos, E., Bantekas, I., Palyvos, N., 2010, Oracles on faults: a probable location of a “lost” oracle of Apollo near Oroviai (Northern Evia Island, Greece) viewed in its geοlogical and geomorphological context, Βull. Geol. Soc. of Greece, XLIII (2), 829-844. Δελτίο της Ελληνικής Γεωλογικής Εταιρίας, 2010 Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, 2010 Πρακτικά 12ου Διεθνούς Συνεδρίου, Πάτρα, Μάιος 2010 Proceedings of the 12th International Congress, Patras, May, 2010 ORACLES ON FAULTS: A PROBABLE LOCATION OF A “LOST” ORACLE OF APOLLO NEAR OROVIAI (NORTHERN EUBOEA ISLAND, GREECE) VIEWED IN ITS GEOLOGICAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CONTEXT I. Mariolakos1, V. Nikolopoulos2, I. Bantekas1, N. Palyvos3 1 University of Athens, Faculty of Geology, Dynamic, Tectonic and Applied Geology Department, Panepistimioupolis Zografou, 157 84, Athens, Greece, [email protected], [email protected] 2 Ministry of Culture, 2nd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, L. Syggrou 98-100, 117 41 Athens, Greece, [email protected] 3 Harokopio university, Department of Geography, El. Venizelou 70 (part-time) / Freelance Geologist, Navarinou 21, 152 32 Halandri, Athens, Greece, [email protected] Abstract At a newly discovered archaeological site at Aghios Taxiarches in Northern Euboea, two vo- tive inscribed stelae were found in 2001 together with hellenistic pottery next to ancient wall ruins on a steep and high rocky slope. Based on the inscriptions and the geographical location of the site we propose the hypothesis that this is quite probably the spot where the oracle of “Apollo Seli- nountios” (mentioned by Strabo) would stand in antiquity. The wall ruins of the site are found on a very steep bedrock escarpment of an active fault zone, next to a hanging valley, a high waterfall and a cave.
  • Archaic Eretria

    Archaic Eretria

    ARCHAIC ERETRIA This book presents for the first time a history of Eretria during the Archaic Era, the city’s most notable period of political importance. Keith Walker examines all the major elements of the city’s success. One of the key factors explored is Eretria’s role as a pioneer coloniser in both the Levant and the West— its early Aegean ‘island empire’ anticipates that of Athens by more than a century, and Eretrian shipping and trade was similarly widespread. We are shown how the strength of the navy conferred thalassocratic status on the city between 506 and 490 BC, and that the importance of its rowers (Eretria means ‘the rowing city’) probably explains the appearance of its democratic constitution. Walker dates this to the last decade of the sixth century; given the presence of Athenian political exiles there, this may well have provided a model for the later reforms of Kleisthenes in Athens. Eretria’s major, indeed dominant, role in the events of central Greece in the last half of the sixth century, and in the events of the Ionian Revolt to 490, is clearly demonstrated, and the tyranny of Diagoras (c. 538–509), perhaps the golden age of the city, is fully examined. Full documentation of literary, epigraphic and archaeological sources (most of which have previously been inaccessible to an English-speaking audience) is provided, creating a fascinating history and a valuable resource for the Greek historian. Keith Walker is a Research Associate in the Department of Classics, History and Religion at the University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
  • ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES in the SANCTUARY of HERA at SAMOS. a PROPOSAL for a NEW INTERPRETATION of TEMPLAR EDIFICES Rita Sassu

    ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES in the SANCTUARY of HERA at SAMOS. a PROPOSAL for a NEW INTERPRETATION of TEMPLAR EDIFICES Rita Sassu

    ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN THE SANCTUARY OF HERA AT SAMOS. A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW INTERPRETATION OF TEMPLAR EDIFICES Rita Sassu ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Italy 1. An overview of the archaeological evidence The Samian extra-urban sanctuary of Hera is located 6 km far from the city.1 Traces of religious practice inside the area date back to XIII century B.C., while the goddess cult was probably introduced in XI- X century, replacing an earlier cult connected to a fertility deity. The complex architectural organization of the sacred area shows an extensive use of templar buildings, whose function is not always comprehensible, so that one of the main problems concerning the study of the Heraion regards the buildings interpretation. Hence, the aim of the present paper is trying to partially solve this issue through the proposal of some edifices’ identifications, by taking into account the archaeological, epigraphic and philological documentation and underlining the importance of economic activities carried out by the sanctuary. In IX century, the temenos consisted of a sacred area focused on a simple rectangular altar. The bomos was the kingpin of sacrificial practice; therefore, archaeological findings referring to this period – mainly ritual utensils such as bowls and cups, animal and feminine figurines2 – were prevalently discovered around the bomos.3 The altar underwent several reconstructions, finally acquiring a monumental form in the VI century B.C. (archaeological investigations leaded to the identification of seven previous architectural phases). The 1 For a history of Samos: Shipley 1987. 2 Concering findings in the Samian Heraion, related both to this period and the subsequent ones: Brize 1985; Brize 1989–90; Brize 1992; Gehrig 1964; Kyrieleis 1988; Jantzen 1972; Jarosch 1994; Schmidt 1968; Schattner 1990; Vierneisel 1961; Webb 1978.
  • Greece • Crete • Turkey May 28 - June 22, 2021

    Greece • Crete • Turkey May 28 - June 22, 2021

    GREECE • CRETE • TURKEY MAY 28 - JUNE 22, 2021 Tour Hosts: Dr. Scott Moore Dr. Jason Whitlark organized by GREECE - CRETE - TURKEY / May 28 - June 22, 2021 May 31 Mon ATHENS - CORINTH CANAL - CORINTH – ACROCORINTH - NAFPLION At 8:30a.m. depart from Athens and drive along the coastal highway of Saronic Gulf. Arrive at the Corinth Canal for a brief stop and then continue on to the Acropolis of Corinth. Acro-corinth is the citadel of Corinth. It is situated to the southwest of the ancient city and rises to an elevation of 1883 ft. [574 m.]. Today it is surrounded by walls that are about 1.85 mi. [3 km.] long. The foundations of the fortifications are ancient—going back to the Hellenistic Period. The current walls were built and rebuilt by the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, and Ottoman Turks. Climb up and visit the fortress. Then proceed to the Ancient city of Corinth. It was to this megalopolis where the apostle Paul came and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament. Here, we see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small local archaeological museum here is an absolute must! In Romans 16:23 Paul mentions his friend Erastus and • • we will see an inscription to him at the site. In the afternoon we will drive to GREECE CRETE TURKEY Nafplion for check-in at hotel followed by dinner and overnight. (B,D) MAY 28 - JUNE 22, 2021 June 1 Tue EPIDAURAUS - MYCENAE - NAFPLION Morning visit to Mycenae where we see the remains of the prehistoric citadel Parthenon, fortified with the Cyclopean Walls, the Lionesses’ Gate, the remains of the Athens Mycenaean Palace and the Tomb of King Agamemnon in which we will actually enter.
  • The Delphi Method: Techniques and Applications from the Foreword by Olaf Helmer

    The Delphi Method: Techniques and Applications from the Foreword by Olaf Helmer

    The Delphi Method Techniques and Applications Edited by Harold A. Linstone Portland State University Murray Turoff New Jersey Institute of Technology With a Foreword by Olaf Helmer University of Southern California ©2002 Murray Turoff and Harold A. Linstone I. Introduction I. Introduction HAROLD A. LINSTONE and MURRAY TUROFF General Remarks It is common, in a book of this kind, to begin with a detailed and explicit definition of the subject- the Delphi technique. However, if we were to attempt this, the reader would no doubt encounter at least one contribution to this collection which would violate our definition. There is in addition a philosophical perspective that when something has attained a point at which it is explicitly definable, then progress has stopped; such is the view we hold with respect to Delphi. In 1969 the number of Delphi studies that had been done could be counted in three digits; today, in 1974, the figure may have already reached four digits. The technique and its application are in a period of evolution, both with respect to how it is applied and to what it is applied. It is the objective of this book to expose the richness of what may be viewed as an evolving field of human endeavor. The reader will encounter in these pages many different perspectives on the Delphi method and an exceedingly diverse range of applications. For a technique that can be considered to be in its infancy, it would be presumptuous of us to present Delphi in the cloak of a neatly wrapped package, sitting on the shelf and ready to use, Rather, we have adopted the approach, through our selection of contributions, of exhibiting a number of different objects having the Delphi label and inviting you to sculpt from these examples your own view and assessment of the technique.
  • Parthenon 1 Parthenon

    Parthenon 1 Parthenon

    Parthenon 1 Parthenon Parthenon Παρθενών (Greek) The Parthenon Location within Greece Athens central General information Type Greek Temple Architectural style Classical Location Athens, Greece Coordinates 37°58′12.9″N 23°43′20.89″E Current tenants Museum [1] [2] Construction started 447 BC [1] [2] Completed 432 BC Height 13.72 m (45.0 ft) Technical details Size 69.5 by 30.9 m (228 by 101 ft) Other dimensions Cella: 29.8 by 19.2 m (98 by 63 ft) Design and construction Owner Greek government Architect Iktinos, Kallikrates Other designers Phidias (sculptor) The Parthenon (Ancient Greek: Παρθενών) is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Its construction began in 447 BC and was completed in 438 BC, although decorations of the Parthenon continued until 432 BC. It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece, generally considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric order. Its decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of Greek art. The Parthenon is regarded as an Parthenon 2 enduring symbol of Ancient Greece and of Athenian democracy and one of the world's greatest cultural monuments. The Greek Ministry of Culture is currently carrying out a program of selective restoration and reconstruction to ensure the stability of the partially ruined structure.[3] The Parthenon itself replaced an older temple of Athena, which historians call the Pre-Parthenon or Older Parthenon, that was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 BC. Like most Greek temples, the Parthenon was used as a treasury.
  • 1 Reading Athenaios' Epigraphical Hymn to Apollo: Critical Edition And

    1 Reading Athenaios' Epigraphical Hymn to Apollo: Critical Edition And

    Reading Athenaios’ Epigraphical Hymn to Apollo: Critical Edition and Commentaries DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Corey M. Hackworth Graduate Program in Greek and Latin The Ohio State University 2015 Dissertation Committee: Fritz Graf, Advisor Benjamin Acosta-Hughes Carolina López-Ruiz 1 Copyright by Corey M. Hackworth 2015 2 Abstract This dissertation is a study of the Epigraphical Hymn to Apollo that was found at Delphi in 1893, and since attributed to Athenaios. It is believed to have been performed as part of the Athenian Pythaïdes festival in the year 128/7 BCE. After a brief introduction to the hymn, I provide a survey and history of the most important editions of the text. I offer a new critical edition equipped with a detailed apparatus. This is followed by an extended epigraphical commentary which aims to describe the history of, and arguments for and and against, readings of the text as well as proposed supplements and restorations. The guiding principle of this edition is a conservative one—to indicate where there is uncertainty, and to avoid relying on other, similar, texts as a resource for textual restoration. A commentary follows, which traces word usage and history, in an attempt to explore how an audience might have responded to the various choices of vocabulary employed throughout the text. Emphasis is placed on Athenaios’ predilection to utilize new words, as well as words that are non-traditional for Apolline narrative. The commentary considers what role prior word usage (texts) may have played as intertexts, or sources of poetic resonance in the ears of an audience.
  • The Geological Origins of the Oracle at Delphi, Greece1 J.Z

    The Geological Origins of the Oracle at Delphi, Greece1 J.Z

    The Geological Origins of the Oracle at Delphi, Greece1 J.Z. DE BOER Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, USA J.R. HALE College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA ncient authors from Plato to Pausanias geological setting of the sanctuary. According have left descriptions of Delphi’s to a number of Greek and Roman authorities, Aoracle and its mantic sessions. The the women who spoke the prophecies at latter were interpreted as events in which the Delphi sat on a tripod that spanned a cleft Pythia (priestess) placed herself on a tripod over or fissure in the rock within the temple of a cleft (fissure) in the ground below the Apollo Apollo. Vapours rose from this chasm into temple. Here she inhaled a vapour rising from the inner sanctum or adyton, where they the cleft, and became inspired with the power of intoxicated the priestess and inspired her prophecy. French archaeologists who excavated prophecies. The ancient testimonies have the oracle site at the turn of the century reported been challenged during the past half- no evidence of either fissures or gaseous emissions century, as modern archaeologists failed to and concluded that the ancient accounts were locate any cleft or source of vapours within myths. As a result, modern classical scholars the foundations of the ruined temple and and many archaeologists reject the ancient therefore concluded that the ancient sources testimonies concerning the mantic sessions and must have been in error. However, a recent their geological origin. geological study of the sanctuary and adjacent However, the geological conditions at the areas has shown that the preconditions for oracle site do not a priori exclude the early the emission of intoxicating fumes are indeed accounts.
  • THE SANCTUARY at EPIDAUROS and CULT-BASED NETWORKING in the GREEK WORLD of the FOURTH CENTURY B.C. a Thesis Presented in Partial

    THE SANCTUARY at EPIDAUROS and CULT-BASED NETWORKING in the GREEK WORLD of the FOURTH CENTURY B.C. a Thesis Presented in Partial

    THE SANCTUARY AT EPIDAUROS AND CULT-BASED NETWORKING IN THE GREEK WORLD OF THE FOURTH CENTURY B.C. A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University by Pamela Makara, B.A. The Ohio State University 1992 Master's Examination Committee: Approved by Dr. Timothy Gregory Dr. Jack Ba I cer Dr. Sa u I Corne I I VITA March 13, 1931 Born - Lansing, Michigan 1952 ..... B.A. in Education, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 1952-1956, 1966-Present Teacher, Detroit, Michigan; Rochester, New York; Bowling Green, Ohio 1966-Present ............. University work in Education, Art History, and Ancient Greek and Roman History FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: History Studies in Ancient Civi I izations: Dr. Timothy Gregory and Dr. Jack Balcer i i TABLE OF CONTENTS VITA i i LIST OF TABLES iv CHAPTER PAGE I. INTRODUCTION 1 I I. ANCIENT EPIDAUROS AND THE CULT OF ASKLEPIOS 3 I II. EPIDAURIAN THEARODOKOI DECREES 9 IV. EPIDAURIAN THEOROI 21 v. EPIDAURIAN THEARODOKOI INSCRIPTIONS 23 VI. AN ARGIVE THEARODOKOI INSCRIPTION 37 VII. A DELPHIC THEARODOKOI INSCRIPTION 42 VIII. SUMMARY 47 END NOTES 49 BIBLIOGRAPHY 55 APPENDICES A. EPIDAURIAN THEARODOKOI INSCRIPTIONS AND TRANSLATIONS 58 B. ARGIVE THEARODOKO I I NSCR I PT I ON 68 C. DELPHIC THEARODOKOI INSCRIPTION 69 D. THEARODOKO I I NSCR I PT IONS PARALLELS 86 iii LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1. Thearodoko i I nscr i pt ions Para I I e Is •••••••••••• 86 iv CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Any evidence of I inkage in the ancient world is valuable because it clarifies the relationships between the various peoples of antiquity and the dealings they had with one another.
  • Honey Plays a Significant Role in the Mythology and History of Many

    Honey Plays a Significant Role in the Mythology and History of Many

    Rhododendron Ponticum Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why This charm is wasted on the earth and sky, Tell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing, Then beauty is its own excuse for being R.W. Emerson, ‘The Rhodora’ "The Delphic priestess in historical times chewed a laurel leaf but when she was a Bee surely she must have sought her inspiration in the honeycomb." Jane Ellen Harrison, Prologemena to Greek Religion Thy Lord taught the Bee To build its cells in hills, On trees and in man’s habitations; Then to eat of all The produce of the earth . From within their bodies comes a drink of varying colors, Wherein is healing for mankind. The Holy Koran 1 Mad Honey Contents Point of View and Introduction 4 A summary of the material 5 What the Substance is 7 A History of Honey a very short history of the relationship of humans and honey A Cultural History of Toxic Honey 9 mad honey in ancient Greece Mad Honey in the New World 10 the Americas and Australasia How the substance works 11 Psychopharmacology selected outbreaks symptoms external indicators and internal registers substances neurophysiological action medical treatment How the substance was used 13 Honied Consciousness: the use of toxic honey as a consciousness altering substance ancient Greece Daphne and Delphi Apollo and Daphne Rhododendron and Laurel Appendix 1 21 Classical References (key selections from the texts) -Diodorus Siculus -Homeric Hymns -Longus -Pausanias -Pliny The Elder -Xenephon Appendix II 29 More on Mellissa Appendix lll 30 Source of the Substances Botany and Sources of Grayanotoxin 2 Appendix lV 32 Honey and Medicine Ancient and Modern Appendix V 34 The Properties of Ethelyne Appendix Vl 36 Entrances: Food, Drink and Enemas Bibliography 39 3 Mad Honey Point of View and Introduction It’s no surprise to discover that honey, and the bees that produce it, play a notable role in mythology and religion throughout the world.
  • Das Ahnenerbe in Greece //Ethniko.Net

    Das Ahnenerbe in Greece //Ethniko.Net

    Das Ahnenerbe in Greece //ethniko.net © Ethniko.net All rights reserved //ethniko.net Das Ahnenerbe in Greece The Ahnenerbe Forschungs und Lehrgemeinschaft Delphi, Eretria, Rhamnus, Thorikon, Aegina, Korinth, (Ancestral Heritage Research and Teaching Society), Epidavros, Nafplio, Argos, Sparta, Megalopolis, was founded in July 1935 by Heinrich Himmler, Olympia and Herakleion in Crete. In these endeavors, Hermann Wirth and Richard Walter Darré. The the Germans counted on the collaboration of Greek society was originally devoted to scientific and authorities as well as the German Institute of pseudo-scientific researches concerning the Archeology in Athens. anthropological and cultural history of the German ethnic group, and to identify the wellsprings of the The Delphi treasure Aryan race. The Ahnenerbe was also investigating the Delphi Before and during World War II, expeditions were oracle, but no one seems to know what exactly. sent to a number of countries in most continents, Some accounts claim that the Ahnenerbe was from South America to the Tibet. In Europe, looking for the Delphi fabled treasure. According to archaeological expeditions were sent to Bulgaria, ancient sources, the Delphi temple held a marvelous Croatia, Iceland, Greece, France, Cyprus, Finland, treasure which consisted of the gold, silver and Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Norway and precious stones offers that believers gave the priests Scandinavia among others. so that the Oracle would be generous with them. One of the countries where the Ahnenerbe was In 279 BCE, the Celtic chief Brennus led 200,000 more interested in was Greece, where it organized soldiers into Greece to raid the Delphi treasure. On several investigations.