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Useful Articles

Home / Useful Articles

On this page you can find articles that may be useful, if you want to find out more about Graeco-Roman antiquity. All of these articles can be found via search engines, academia or databases like Jstor.

E. Close, ‘Megalopolis and the Achaian Koinon: local identity and the federal state’‘, Teiresias 48.1 (2018), 2-8

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hellenistichistory

🏛️Dr. Elke Close
📚 Ancient Historian and teacher
📍Belgium
🏺Ancient Greece & Rome and the Hellenistic period
🎨 @drawingancienthistory @bricksanlegends

Hellenistic History
This bronze statuette, likely depicting a seated f This bronze statuette, likely depicting a seated female figure such as Aphrodite, has a heavily corroded surface caused by the effects of time and burial conditions. The green and blue hues, known as bronze patina, are the result of chemical reactions between the copper in the alloy and its environment, typically soil or water. Over centuries, exposure to moisture and minerals in the earth led to the formation of copper carbonate, giving the statue its characteristic weathered appearance. This particular statuette comes from the Ambelokipoi Hoard, a cache of bronze artifacts discovered in Athens in 1964. The hoard likely belonged to a private owner or a metalworking shop, where statuettes like this one might have been intended for melting down and repurposing. However, the hoard was hastily buried, possibly due to invasions such as those by the Heruls or Goths, which left these objects incomplete but preserved for modern discovery. Despite its weathered state, the delicate drapery folds and remaining details still reflect the craftsmanship of Attic workshops during the Roman imperial period. These workshops frequently recreated or adapted earlier Hellenistic models, ensuring that even in its damaged state, the statuette captures the naturalism and expressive qualities of Greek art. #hellenisticart #bronzeartifacts #ancientbronze #archaeology #ancienthistory #aphrodite #ancientstatues #romanart #hellenisticgreece #athens #archaeologicalfinds #atticworkshops #greekart #classicalhistory #hellenistichistory #artrestoration #ancientgreece
The so-called Alexander Sarcophagus is not the fin The so-called Alexander Sarcophagus is not the final resting place of Alexander the Great, despite its name. It was discovered in 1887 by Turkish archaeologist and historian Osman Hamdi Bey during excavations of the necropolis at Sidon, in what is now Lebanon. The sarcophagus likely belonged to King Abdalonymos of Sidon, a local ruler appointed by Alexander following the Macedonian conquest of the city. The sarcophagus earned its name due to the prominent depictions of Alexander the Great in its battle and hunting scenes. Alexander is easily recognized by his signature lion-headed helmet and his position on horseback, symbolizing his military leadership and heroic status. One relief shows Alexander battling the Persians at the Battle of Issos, where a fallen Persian soldier can be seen beneath his horse, identified by his elaborate, brightly painted clothing. The sarcophagus is a remarkable example of Hellenistic craftsmanship, likely produced by Ionian sculptors working in Phoenicia during the late 4th century BC. Its carvings depict battle scenes between the Macedonians and Persians, as well as a royal lion hunt in which Alexander and Abdalonymos participate together. Research on the sarcophagus has revealed that it was originally painted in vivid colors, with traces of at least 22 different pigments still visible today. Modern reconstructions have recreated parts of the sarcophagus’s reliefs, showcasing its original polychrome appearance. White highlights on the horse’s coat demonstrate the advanced painting techniques used to simulate the effect of light—an artistic innovation of the 4th century BC. Swipe to see an example. #alexanderthegreat #alexandersarcophagus #ancient #hellenisticage #hellenistic #hellenistichistory #hellenisticgreece #ancienthistory #archaeology
This red-figure kylix, made in Athens around 490 B This red-figure kylix, made in Athens around 490 BC and attributed to the painter Onesimos, offers a revealing glimpse into the world of the symposion, an essential aspect of social life in ancient Greece. The symposion was more than just a drinking party—it was a carefully structured social ritual where men gathered to drink, converse, and be entertained after an evening meal. Participants, called symposiasts, reclined on couches arranged around the room while servants mixed wine with water in a central bowl. Drinking undiluted wine was frowned upon, as moderation was a prized virtue, though scenes like the one on this kylix remind us that excess often prevailed. The cup humorously depicts a drinker losing control—a reminder that even in a society that valued restraint, drunkenness was an inevitable part of the symposion experience. Entertainment played a key role. Musicians, dancers, and courtesans were often hired, while guests engaged in storytelling, poetic recitations, and even philosophical debates. Games like kottabos, where wine dregs were flicked at a target, added a competitive element to the evening. The gathering frequently concluded with a komos, a raucous, wine-fueled procession through the streets—a final act of celebration that blurred the lines between public and private festivity. #ancientgreece #redfigurepottery #greekart #symposion #greekvases #ancienthistory #archaeology #greekpottery #classicalart #ancientcustoms #hellenistichistory #ancientculture #athens #classicalcivilization
A while ago I shared my ideal itinerary for a firs A while ago I shared my ideal itinerary for a first day in Athens for those wanting to visit. Here is an@m overview for exploring the second day! There will be a programme for day 3 up soon! So after exploring the Acropolis on Day 1, we dive deeper into Athens’ rich history with ancient landmarks, neoclassical gems, and stunning views—all within walking distance on day 2! 📍 Temple of Olympian Zeus & Arch of Hadrian – See the towering columns of Greece’s largest ancient temple and Hadrian’s iconic arch dividing old and new Athens. 📍 Roman Agora & Library of Hadrian – Explore the remains of Athens’ ancient marketplace and the grand library that once housed thousands of scrolls. 📍 Syntagma Square & National Gardens – Watch the Changing of the Guard at the Greek Parliament, then stroll through the peaceful National Gardens nearby. 📍 Academy of Athens & Neoclassical Landmarks – Admire the Academy of Athens, the National Library, and the University of Athens, stunning examples of neoclassical architecture. 📍 Panathenaic Stadium – Visit the only all-marble stadium in the world, built for ancient games and restored for the first modern Olympics in 1896. 📍 National Archaeological Museum – See the world’s finest collection of ancient Greek artifacts, including the Mask of Agamemnon and the Antikythera Mechanism. 📍 Lykavittos Hill – End your day with panoramic views of Athens and the Aegean from the city’s highest point—especially magical at sunset. Before grabbing a bite at exarchia! What would you add to this second day in Athens? #athensadventure #ancientathens #templeofzeus #romanagora #libraryofhadrian #panathenaicstadium #lykavittoshill #nationalgardens #exploreathens #athensviews #ancienthistory #visitgreece #athensvibes #greekculture #historicathens #nationalarchaeologicalmuseum #discovergreece
In Centuripe, located in northern-central Sicily, In Centuripe, located in northern-central Sicily, a distinctive style of vase production flourished between the late 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. These vases, created using relief techniques and tempera, were notable for their striking dark pink backgrounds made with vegetable varnish, as well as rarer black and light blue backgrounds. Their elaborate, baroque style set them apart from other ancient pottery and indicated their symbolic, rather than functional, purpose. These vases, often quite large, were adorned with intricate relief decorations and refined paintings concentrated on their fronts. Their embellishments included plastic applications, gilded details, and painted motifs such as Erotes, Medusa heads, floral designs, and volutes. The three main types of vases—the lekanis (a low bowl with handles and a conical lid), the pyxis (a domed container for gifts), and the lebes gamikos (a vessel for ritual baths)—were oversized versions of nuptial vessels and were strongly tied to themes of weddings and transitions, particularly a woman’s passage through marriage or death. A notable lebes gamikos depicts a bridal procession, with women accompanying a young bride toward a doorway symbolizing her transition to a new status—whether marriage or the afterlife. Similarly, a lekanis lid shows remnants of a ritual sacrifice performed to the sound of kettledrums. These ceremonial scenes underscore the symbolic nature of these vessels, which were used in funerary contexts before being buried with the deceased. The artistic value of these vases, coupled with their rarity, made them highly sought after. Many were discovered in the early 20th century during illegal excavations of Centuripe’s necropolis. Among the most famous examples are two vases now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, including one showing Dionysus with a bride, likely symbolizing the deceased in a marriage with the divine. #centuripe #ancientsicily #hellenisticart #ancientpottery #archaeology #helenistic #hellenisticgreece #ancienthistory #culturalheritage #classicalcivilization #ancientceramics #greekvase #lebes #ancient #history
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