Tag: magna grecia
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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;…
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Selinunte’s Graceful Temple E
Selinunte was a Greek city built on the southwestern coast of Sicily by colonists from the eastern Sicilian Greek outpost of Megara Hyblea. Founded around 651 BC, it displayed its power by building massive temples to dedicated to the gods, like this one pictured, Temple E, which scholars believe was dedicated to Hera. The Doric-style…
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Ageless Beauty
Pictured are terracotta female figurines from the 3rd century BC, from Sicily, yet specific origins are unknown. Photographed in Palermo’s Palazzo Branciforte museum and cultural center.
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In Just 9 Days
In the late part of the 7th century BC, the city of Selinunte was founded by colonists from the eastern Sicilian Greek colony of Megara Hyblea. Being the western-most Greek town in an area that was generally occupied by Carthaginian peoples, Selinunte faced a number of destructive episodes that finally ended in 409 BC. Carthage,…
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Buried Treasure? We’ll find out.
This fall, the exciting news from Sicily for geeks like me is that archaeologists believe they have finally found the location of the amphitheater at Agrigento. For centuries, scholars have searched for its location, knowing that a city of the size and magnificence of Akragas, as the metropolis was called during ancient times, must have…
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Savoring Sicily, Day 4: The Wonder in Their Eyes
Visiting the temples for the gods never gets old! For our fourth day of Savoring Sicily, we spent the morning making our way through the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. The best part for me is seeing the wonder in our clients’ eyes when they see this magnificent, 2-km long UNESCO site. Behind me,…
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An Enthroned Goddess’ Ancestor
Annually on September 6, 7, and 8 the town of Grammichele in Catania Province pays homage to Our Lady of the Plan, or the Madonna del Piano. Today, Grammichele is a baroque town with a fascinating hexagonal central piazza that was built after the devastating earthquake of 1693. Its history, however, runs deep. One of…
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Rejoice! Progress in Palermo!
Palermo’s archaeological museum, Il Museo Archeologico Regionale “Antonio Salinas,” houses one of the world’s most robust collections of ancient Punic and Greek art and artifacts. Priceless pieces from sites across Sicily are represented; however, for the past 5-6 years, the museum has been closed for renovation and its collection has remained behind the locked doors.…
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Still Hosting Shows after 2300 Years
Taormina’s Ancient Theater, or Teatro Antico, is outstanding. In 2003, I was fortunate enough to have seen Elton John perform a 2.5 hour concert here. What a night! With the Ionian Sea and the Bay of Schisò as the backdrop along with the real showstopper, Mount Etna, fuming to the south, few other views are…