B E L L I D O L
S E V E N T H C E N T U R Y B C
Looks like an animated character you would find
in Tim Burton's film, Nightmare Before Christmas.
These are clay figures. Their legs dangle from
within the bell-shaped skirt. Maybe they were
toys for kids.
They were found in the graves of children and
women. They could have been votives -
a physical symbol of a promise made or a vow
of one's loyal devotion. In return, may the spirits
protect us from calamity for all our days through life.
C A L F - B E A R E R
M A R B L E 5 7 0 B C
A man carries his calf for religious offering.
This is as it should be. Bless Athena.
Have mercy upon us. May your spirit
illuminate and benefit us all with
your magnificence. And may no one
swipe this offering. For the sake of humanity.
The farmer's eyes are missing.
Colored rock chosen to represent eyes
have long ago fallen from their sockets
providing a ghoulish touch
atop the farmer's natural stance.
M A I D E N S P O R C H
L A T E F I F T H C E N T U R Y B C
The columns of the temple honoring Athena
portray six various women just hanging out,
relaxing in drapery carved from stone.
The illusion succeeds. The weight they wear
balanced on their heads is nothing more
than that of a hat made of fruit salad.
The Erechthelon Temple is one among others,
gathered here to form the Acropolis, a
crowning achievement that best symbolizes
the Golden Age of Athens.
B E R E N I C E I I
Q U E E N 2 0 0 B C
Wife of Ptolemy III, ruler of Egypt.
It is a mosaic found in Mendes, Egypt.
What's with the eyes?
Is this the stare of an all-seeing mystic or is she just
insane? There is nothing divine about this look.
The artisan of the work provides his fanciful
judgment on the subject.
Stay clear of her.
She intends to avenge your betrayal of her
that must have occurred somewhere, somehow...
whenever.
Who cares?
Off with your head.
E K P H O R A
F U N E R A L P R O C E S S I O N 7 5 0 B C
The process of carrying the body to its grave
is depicted here in geometric forms on this
monumental vase. The human figures have
a triangular torso with sticks for arms and
small, circular heads. Their gestures convey
grief. Chariots and foot soldiers arrive.
Warriors with shields look like walking
hourglass figures.
We are all gathered here to honor the memory
of an upstanding visionary of our community,
a man to be long remembered for his
outstanding deeds.
May his soul be well received in the afterlife.
L A O C O O N
T R O J A N W A R M Y T H
This statue was unearthed in a vineyard on
Esquiline Hill in Rome. The year was 1506.
Michelangelo was witness to this discovery.
His patron, Pope Julius II, acquired the sculpture
and had it placed in the Vatican.
Laocoon and his two sons are being attacked
by a sea serpent - divine punishment for his
treacherous attempt to warn the Trojans
against accepting the Greek's Trojan Horse.
* * * * *
© Tom Taylor
OVER EASY
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