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Divers find Caesar bust that may date to 46 B.C.
AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/13/08 | AP

Posted on 05/13/2008 6:41:24 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

PARIS - Divers trained in archaeology discovered a marble bust of an aging Caesar in the Rhone River that France's Culture Ministry said Tuesday could be the oldest known.

The life-sized bust showing the Roman ruler with wrinkles and hollows in his face is tentatively dated to 46 B.C. Divers uncovered the Caesar bust and a collection of other finds in the Rhone near the town of Arles — founded by Caesar.

Among other items in the treasure trove of ancient objects is a 5.9 foot marble statue of Neptune, dated to the first decade of the third century after Christ.

Two smaller statues, both in bronze and measuring 27.5 inches each also were found, one of them, a satyr with his hands tied behind his back, "doubtless" originated in Hellenic Greece, the ministry said.

"Some (of the discoveries) are unique in Europe," Culture Minister Christine Albanel said. The bust of Caesar is in a class by itself.

"This marble bust of the founder of the Roman city of Arles constitutes the most ancient representation known today of Caesar," the ministry statement said, adding that it "undoubtedly" dates to the creation of Arles in 46 B.C.

Among other things, researchers are trying to uncover "in what context these statues were thrown into the river," said Michel L'Hour, who heads the Department of Subaquatic Archaeological Research, whose divers made the discovery between September and October 2007.

The site "has barely been skimmed," L'Hour told The Associated Press, adding that a new search operation will begin this summer.

He said the Arles region, in the Provence region of southern France, with its Roman beginnings, and the Rhone are "propitious" for discoveries.

Albanel called the find "exceptional" and said that the Caesar bust is "the oldest representation known today" of the emperor.

Divers also found a huge marble statue of Neptune, dated from the third century.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bust; caesar; divers; godsgravesglyphs
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To: NormsRevenge
Ceasar,.... you know, the salad dressing dude...


21 posted on 05/13/2008 7:18:31 PM PDT by Hodar (With Rights, come Responsibilities. Don't assume one, without assuming the other.)
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To: SunkenCiv

so cool!


22 posted on 05/13/2008 7:18:59 PM PDT by RDTF (my worst nightmare is being on jury duty sequestered with 11 liberals)
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To: Izzy Dunne

lol!


23 posted on 05/13/2008 7:21:17 PM PDT by RDTF (my worst nightmare is being on jury duty sequestered with 11 liberals)
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To: eastsider
Quite the stylish haircut.

I could be wrong, but it looks like it might be a Caesar cut.
24 posted on 05/13/2008 7:26:36 PM PDT by GOPmember (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: NormsRevenge

Left over from the “Free Ceasar Bust With Every Fill-up” promotion.


25 posted on 05/13/2008 7:34:00 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Tamar1973

Unable to cope with middle-age balding!


26 posted on 05/13/2008 7:37:22 PM PDT by Skenderbej
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To: NormsRevenge
I am not convinced that this is a bust. Is it an undressed stone base or fracture lines from a more complete work?
27 posted on 05/13/2008 7:40:10 PM PDT by kitchen (Any day without a fair tax thread is a good day.)
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To: kitchen

Great minds...I thought the same thing.


28 posted on 05/13/2008 7:47:49 PM PDT by I'm ALL Right!
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To: NormsRevenge

I thought he was taller


29 posted on 05/13/2008 7:48:46 PM PDT by stylin19a
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To: Psycho_Bunny
Divers trained in archaeology

I just wonder how you come to decide you want to be a diver/archaeologist!

30 posted on 05/13/2008 7:52:48 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: Ezekiel; aculeus; mplsconservative

Check this out. This is just awesome.


31 posted on 05/13/2008 7:53:57 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: NormsRevenge

Et tu, Brute?


32 posted on 05/13/2008 7:54:14 PM PDT by WSGilcrest (I'm beginning to realize I don't realize what I'm saying.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Dude’s got my hairdo! But man, what a powerful face!


33 posted on 05/13/2008 7:57:47 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (You're gonna cry 96 Tears on my Pillow!)
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To: eastsider

‘Quite the stylish haircut.’

The bust actually has the claw-shaped crop of hair that’s associated with Alexander the Great’s hairstyle. This is actually a very well known style in classical hairstyles. The creator of the bust is trying to tell the audience that Caesar should be respected like Alexander.

Look up some of the busts of Alexander. You’ll see this same thing. Augustus also.


34 posted on 05/13/2008 7:58:14 PM PDT by AlmaKing
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To: padre35

My wife says he looks like W from the nose up, and Harrison Ford from the nose down.


35 posted on 05/13/2008 7:59:00 PM PDT by DeaconBenjamin
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To: NormsRevenge

Vini, vidi,,,,,,,glug glug glug.......


36 posted on 05/13/2008 7:59:05 PM PDT by Defiant (McCain's big vein drains mainly from his brain.)
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To: kitchen

I’m not convinced it is Caesar. How do they know it’s him? It’s not like they have pictures.


37 posted on 05/13/2008 8:04:40 PM PDT by ladyjane
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To: NormsRevenge

I wonder if he ever imagined he would become world-renowned. It’s thrilling that an image of him is found 2,000 years later.


38 posted on 05/13/2008 8:04:41 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: DeaconBenjamin
He does resemble the President! He also has quite a monkey mouth going on.
39 posted on 05/13/2008 8:08:51 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: AlmaKing

Quote from link below:

During the Hellenistic period, art became a propaganda tool used by various rulers to convey their personality. In order to gain respect from their people, these rulers had themselves depicted in certain ways to reaffirm their power and status. Alexander the Great knew the potential of these images, and commissioned Lysippos to create portraits of him. Lysippos was the only artist authorized to make Alexander’s image. Not only did he want to convey Alexander’s arete (virtues of society), Lysippos also wanted to depict his ethos (personal character). Two works of art demonstrating the Lysippan style include the Azara Herm and the Statue of Alexander with a Lance.The Azara Herm contains all the typical characteristics of a Lysippan prototype:

- turn of the neck
- slightly parted lips
- aspiring glance
- the anastole (flip of the hair)

These features separated Alexander the Great from previous rulers. They were new, innovative and engaging.

The Statue of Alexander is designed to represent the idea of political power. Here, the power radiates from Alexander himself.

http://archaeology.suite101.com/article.cfm/portraits_of_alexander_the_great


40 posted on 05/13/2008 8:09:15 PM PDT by AlmaKing
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