In Chains

Detail of Zenobia in Chains (1859) by Harriet Goodhue Hosmer

Offered for your consideration. ;-)

Five Young Women

Five Statues of Young Women at the Getty Villa
(Reproductions of Roman bronze sculptures from the first century A.D. found at the Villa dei Papiri)

Nothing much for today. But here's a photo of the Getty Villa that I recently visited.

It was a wonderful trip. And an awesome day.

Enjoy!!!

Shadowtime

Wishing a Happy Birthday to Siouxsie Sioux, born on this date in 1957.

Yeah, I have an eclectic taste in music. Although I never got into the Goth scene of the late '80s and early 90s, I enjoyed the music. Certainly, it could get a bit overwrought and angsty to the point of hilarity, but, when the excesses of pathos are avoided, there were some memorable works of music. Now, I wouldn't classify Siouxsie and the Banshees as just a Goth band, because their music has notable post-punk elements that don't fit well with the Gothic aesthetic. It's probably most accurate to label them as "alternative rock".

Whatever you want to call them, Siouxsie and the Banshees were wonderfully experimental. Heck, they even have a song that uses the glockenspiel!!!

So let's get to the music.

To the City

View of Constantinople by Moonlight by Ivan Aivazovsky (1846)

In the year 330, the city of Byzantium was renamed Nova Roma by the emperor Constantine. It soon became known as Constantinople, the city of Constantine. The "new Rome" became the Imperial capitol and reflected the prioritization of Roman interests, from the Latin West to the Greek East.

With Imperial resources focused eastward, the West faced an inexorable decline. Within 150 years of the new orientation, the Western Empire collapsed in 476 with the ousting of Romulus Augustulus by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. However, the Eastern Empire survived as the Byzantine Empire until the Ottoman Turks took Constantinople in 1453. It wasn't always pretty, but the City of Constantine was made to endure.

With the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, the city was officially renamed Istanbul, a name which had been informally used for centuries. Of all the names the city has had, I like the sound of Istanbul most. However, the Thracian name, Lygos, from around the 12th century BC, has a nice sound to it. ;-)

Here are the Wikipedia links to Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul.

Here's Ivan Aivazovsky's Wikipedia page.

Enjoy!!!

The Wellspring of Good

Bronze Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius, born on this date in the year 121, is my favorite Roman Emperor, the last of the "Five Good Emperors." Additionally, he is one of my favorite moral philosophers. Whenever I read his Meditations, it amazes me to consider that this dutiful, humble, and authentic voice is of the Most Powerful Man in the World!!! Would I be so ethical and righteous if I had supreme wordly power? I seriously doubt it.

I don't think that I'd go all Nero or Caligula, but I wouldn't be writing Stoic reflections in my private journal. No, I'd be eating exquisite food, drinking fine wine, enjoying the cultural and intellectual richness of the Roman arts and letters, and relaxing with pleasurable company. I would hope that I'd have the ethical integrity to govern with wisdom and responsibility, but that would be secondary to having a good time.

I wouldn't be writing things like this in my private journal:

Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so.

or

He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.

Now, when you read such concepts in the works of Epictetus or Musonius Rufus, these are admirable ideas. But it's no surprise that people with such little worldly power would try to tame the chaotic pulls of ambition and desire. Finding contentment with a humble existence is a coping mechanism for the weak and disenfranchised. The Roman Emperor is neither weak nor disenfranchised!!!

And this is what makes Marcus Aurelius so admirable. The Stoic virtues are not mere coping devices for a life of hardship. They are relevant regardless of worldly status. Marcus Aurelius doesn't practice the Virtues because he needs to; he practices them because they are Right.

Here's a short vid about the life of Marcus Aurelius:

Here's a link to Marcus Aurelius' Wikipedia page.

If you are interested in Moral Philosophy, definitely check out the Meditations, which is available free on-line at many locations including at the Internet Classics Archive or Project Gutenberg.

Enjoy!!!

And Scorn All Other Men

Septimus Severus at Glyptothek, Munich

Severus was born on Aprill 11, 145, in the Roman province of Africa. After a career of clever politics and charismatic leadership, he earned the position of Roman Emperor, reigning from 193 until his death in 211. This was an amazing accomplishment. First, he was an African NOT of Italian ethnicity (most likely Punic). Second, he had to fight his way to the Purple against four other contenders. This is known as the Year of the Five Emperors.

His reign was marked by constant warfare, expanding the African province, beating up on Parthia, crushing Usurpers, and finally launching an invasion into Scotland, known then as Caledonia. His reforms of the Imperial Army would have long-lasting ramifications. Likewise, the debasement of the coinage to pay for his military adventures would have an enduring impact of Rome's economic health.

It seems as though many historians give only cursory attention to his reign. This is outrageous! Severus' legacy for better or worse shaped all of Roman history to come. In my opinion, only Augustus, Constantine and Hadrian leave a deeper mark on Western Civilization.

Here's a link to the Wikipedia article on Septimius Severus.

Enjoy!!!

Beware the Ides of March

My interest in history and Classical civilization started when I first read Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" in the 7th grade. When reading this play, I felt transported via my imagination to the Roman world. It brought the dry facts and dates of history to dramatic life. It remains one of my favorite works of literature, mainly because of this personal significance.

In honor of the Ides, here a link to Caesar's wikipedia page.

Enjoy!