Posted on 01/16/2015 3:11:27 PM PST by SunkenCiv
A new archaeological find on the Danish island of Falster can be traced back to the first Roman Emperor, Augustus.
A bronze figure representing the Greek figure Silenus, from the time of Rome's first emperor, Augustus, has been found on the south-eastern Danish island of Falster.
This find suggests that there was close contact between the Roman empire and Scandinavia, before and after the emperor's reign...
At first sight the figure seemed so finely detailed that the finder took it home in the belief that it was a modern object. Later she handed it over to the National Museum of Denmark. Here experts were quickly able to ascertain that the figure represented not a man, but Silenus.
In Greek mythology, Silenus (Greek: Seilenos) was a companion and tutor of the wine god Dionysus. He appeared together with satyrs and other creatures in the wine god's entourage, resembling a satyr, although, he was considerably older. The character Silenus ended up as a very special genre of figure creatures known as sileni.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencenordic.com ...
The 4.5 cm tall Roman bronze figure represents Silenus, a mythological creature based on the Greek figure of the same name. The bronze figure was found recently on the island of Falster and can be dated back to the late Roman Iron Age. It is unknown how the figure ended up on a Danish island. (Photos: National Museum of Denmark)
Damn, someone already did it. I thought I had a unique retirement plan all this time...
That was one hell of a buzz, if he’s just waking up.
I’ve woke up in some strange places too.
It is an amazing work, to be sure.
As for the whole concept of the lectus tricliniaris, I just don’t get it.
I have seen movies in which Romans are depicted as reclining to eat. They usually prop themselves up on one elbow. Cannot imagine how else one could eat while lying down. And I cannot imagine why such a position would be favored over sitting as we do.
You may prefer sitting, as do I, but we ain't teens with a pizza and movie channel.
/johnny
It seems that the Romans penetrated a lot further north (& south) that modern historians give them credit for.
Here’s an article from a few years back substantiating this further expansion or penetration.
Most people don’t even know that Nero engaged the Ancient Ethiopians and was going to raze the city of Meroë until they sued for peace.
/johnny
Maybe it’s was a holdover from a nomadic past, as that is typically how Middle Eastern nomads ate even into modern times, lying on the floor, propped up on pillows and whatnot. It is even suggested that Christ and the apostles ate like that at the Last Supper, as the beloved disciple is described as leaning or reclining on Jesus’ breast.
Without chairs I guess there is not much choice?
Yeah, that’s why I think it started with the nomads. They could carry blankets and pillows with them, but they weren’t hauling around furniture.
Semper ubi sub ubi
That was Royus Orbisonus I think.
Yeah, there are still those who claim that the Romans didn’t cross the Rhine after the Varian disaster, and they’re in error. And a Roman commercial presence persisted in India, Ireland, the Baltic, etc.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2147810/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3019050/posts
Wow, those aged perfectly. It looks incredible with rich patina.
Something Roman in Denmark ping.
Hagar The Horrible picked it up in Paris, as a gift for Helga?
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