Tag: archaeology
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Taormina’s Ancient Amphitheater and the G7
Taormina’s Ancient Theater, or Teatro Antico, is the inspiration for the logo of the 2017 meeting of the G7, happening now in Sicily. To give you some background, and put things into perspective (We are here for so little time.), the theater was built in phases, starting in the 3rd century BC by the Greek…
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Sing Out at Segesta’s Theater
The amphitheater at Segesta sits on top of Monte Bàrbaro at an elevation of 400 meters above sea level, facing North and therefore, the sea. It dates to the middle of the 3rd century B.C. Excavations of the area are taking place sporadically. Some have revealed the existence of structures dating back to the 9th…
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The First Time Ever I Saw Your Vase
The detail of the face painted on this terracotta jar that is associated with weddings (called lebes gamikos) is extraordinary, considering it is from the 3rd century B.C. It is from the ancient town of Centuripe in Enna province, which was, at one time, one of Sicily’s biggest producers of ceramic objects. This vase illustrates…
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Splurge in Agrigento
This is the view from our hotel room tonight. On your trip, this is where you splurge on a 5-star hotel … in Agrigento! Here’s what you are looking at: The Temple of Concordia is named for a Latin inscription that was found on a dedication marker unearthed in the vicinity of the archaeological site–i.e.,…
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A Bride and A Drum
When I learn how old an object like this vase from Sicily is, it puts things into perspective. I was thrilled to see this in person at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York a couple of weeks ago. Dated to have been made between 300 and 200 B.C.E., this polychrome terracotta jar associated…
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The Headless Roman
This torso is part of an exhibition at Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. It displays findings from an archaeological excavation of the Roman forum that was conducted between 2012 and 2014. Now, imagine that you spent a lot of time and money creating this statue of the current governor or prefect. Then imagine that…
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I’m a Magnet
Yesterday my friend Renee and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Last week, I thought, “I love museums, and I always go when I travel: Why not in my own town?” It had been a while since I’d been to The Met, so I proposed it. Of course, I…
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The Mask of Solunto
This image is of a 1st century B.C. wall painting of theatrical mask with garland and fruit from the House of the Masks in Solunto, an ancient city on top of Mount Catalfano in Santa Flavia. The precious fresco is now housed at the Regional Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas in Palermo. Fun fact: my grandfather…
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Persephone’s Guidance
As the seasons change where I live in the northeastern United States, and the days are darker longer, I turn to Persephone for assistance during the transition to winter. Part of the “Queen of the Underworld’s” responsibilities, once she descends into Hades each autumn, is the role of psychopomp–a guide for new souls crossing over;…