COURT ENGINEERING IN PTOLEMAIC ALEXANDRIA

Author(s): Helen Fragaki / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The works of Ktesibios, Philo and Hero show that the use of abstract principles for technical purposes had been widely practiced in the Alexandrian Museum and Library since the 3rd c. BC. This paper explores the political, religious and ideological issues of these practices, especially their relationship to the process of the divinisation of kings, which started during this period. The eminent role of applied science, which was perceived as an extension and a proof of the rulers’ divine power, explains why the transgression of the opposition between theoretical research and mechanics was overcome in the realm of court engineering.

Introducción

Author(s): Adriana Grzelak-Krzymianowska,Maria Judyta Woźniak / Language(s): Spanish Publication Year: 0

En defensa del territorio: las coaliciones militares antirromanas en el Pirineo occidental (siglos II–I a.C.) 199

Author(s): Jokin Lanz / Language(s): Spanish Publication Year: 0

After the arrival of Rome in the western surroundings of the Pyrenees, some of the communities that inhabited the region quickly formed coalitions to defend their territory and were able to face the foreign power. For this purpose, strong mechanisms were used that were deeply rooted in the region and had proved to be capable of creating large military coalitions amongst different communities, giving them a certain military strength, and by adopting, when necessary, typically Roman military techniques. The attitude of some of these communities was clear evidence of the high degree of cohesion and ethnic consciousness that they had previously developed.

Kult cesarski na obszarze prowincji hiszpańskich – rezultat polityki imperialnej Rzymu, czy oddolnej inicjatywy mieszkańców?

Author(s): Damian Sideł / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

This chapter discusses the issue of the imperial cult on the Iberian Peninsula at the beginnig of the principate. In the first part of the chapter, the stages of development of the imperial cult in the Iberian Peninsula are briefly described. Its main centre was located in Tarraco, the capital city of Hither Spain. Two other provinces – Baetica and Lusitania followed in its footsteps. In the second part, epigraphic and numismatic evidence showing the Iberians’ attitude towards em¬peror worship are analysed. The author tries to prove that the creation of emperor rituals in the whole Peninsula was dominated by the initiative of the Iberians themsleves.

On the Seviri Augustales as Agents of Romanity in Hispania

Author(s): Alberto Barrón Ruiz de la Cuesta / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This chapter analyses the general features of the seviratus Augustalis, its territorial presence and continuity in the Roman Empire, and its influence in the spreading of the cultural and religious Roman customs in Hispania, through the study of its preserved epigraphic sources. The seviratus Augustalis was especially developed in the Western towns of the Empire, it lasted from the 1st to the 3rd century AD, and it was a semi-official institution mainly held by wealthy freedmen looking for social recognition. Despite the unresolved debate about its concrete function, the numerous preserved inscriptions in relation to the Augustality provide important information about the religious and munificent actions of its members. From the study of the existing epi¬graphic inscriptions in Hispania, we will demonstrate the role played by the seviri Augustales as promoters of Romanity, based on elements such as the worship of Roman deities, the connection of different gods with the emperor, the diffusion of Latin onomastics, the adoption of Roman magistracies and the imitation of the local Romanised elites. Consequently, this position created in Italy worked in Hispania as a diffusor of the Roman religion and the Roman social order, promoting the consolidation of the imperial regime in the provinces.

Analiza crimen ambitus w świetle hiszpańskich leges municipales/coloniarum i wcześniejszych regulacji prawnych

Author(s): Emilia Twarowska-Antczak / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

In this work, I focus on issues concerning the responsibility of city officials for crimen de ambitu in the light of Spanish leges municipales/ coloniarum and earlier legislation. In a system created by the ancient Romans, responsibility was intended to safeguard the interests of municipalities in the event of management irregularities. Therefore, the applicant for the office of duumvir or quaestor was obliged to set a cash security – cautio. One of the key problems of the Roman republic, and later the Roman municipia (also during the principate) was the corruption of voters with the aim of getting them to cast a ballot for a particular candidate. During the principate era, electoral crime was mainly committed outside Rome, which is why I analyse the legal norms contained in Spanish city laws in the context of Republican legislation.

El papel de la Bahía de Mazarrón (Murcia) en los contactos comerciales mediterráneos en época romana

Author(s): Iwona Modrzewska-Pianetti / Language(s): Spanish Publication Year: 0

For many years I have dedicated myself to the study of commercial contacts between the Roman provinces, based on research on amphorae. The knowledge of the production of the amphorae of Baetica and the deposits of the amphorae of Galia Cisalpina made it possible to draw conclusions about commercial contacts between these provinces. The aim of my new study of amphorae from Mazarrón Bay (Murcia), funded by the NCN – National Science Centre in Poland, arose from my previous research. Thanks to the collaboration of the University of Murcia, the Archaeological Museum of Murcia and the Municipal Archaeological Museum of the “Factoría Romana de Salazones” of Mazarrón, I was able to document the hitherto unpublished amphorae of the Mazarrón coast. During the process of documenting 574 amphorae, excavated in the dredging works in Puerto de Mazarrón, in the stores of the Museum of Murcia and the Museum of Mazarrón, I registered 169 containers coming from the production of the south coast of the region of Murcia. The typological and chronological elaboration, as well as the comparison with the finds of amphorae in the interior of the Mazarrón area, allow conclusions to be drawn about the local production and imports of containers from other regions of the Iberian Peninsula and from other Mediterranean areas. The study, based on pieces of material culture, allows the reconstruction of the role of Mazarrón Bay in the ancient trade of the peninsular southeast and other Mediterranean areas.

Not only Monte Testaccio: Reflections about the Presence of Baetican Olive Oil Amphorae in Rome (and Ostia) during the Middle Imperial Age (2nd–early 3rd Centuries AD) Emerging from the Findings at the ‘Terme di Elagabalo’ in Rome

Author(s): Edoardo Radaelli / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The quantities of Baetican amphorae Dressel 20 found in the Middle Imperial contexts (2nd–early 3rd centuries AD) discovered during the excavations in the so-called ‘Terme di Elagabalo’ in Rome are added to those discovered in other excavations carried out in Rome (outside Monte Testaccio) and Ostia in order to ponder over their presence in the two cities during this chronological period. Ancient sources and studies are also analysed so as to better understand this commodity, leading to a reflection upon the supply system to the Capital and the strategies of Emperors to improve it.

Świątynie kultu cesarskiego w stolicach prowincjonalnych w Hispanii (Tarraco, Emerita Augusta, Corduba) – status quaestionis

Author(s): Anna Zimnowodzka / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The beginnings of the imperial cult in Hispania are connected with the reign of Augustus. According to Quintilian, an altar dedicated to him was erected in Tarraco (Hispania Citerior) when the emperor was still alive. After the death of the Emperor, on the 17th September AD 14 when he was deified and given the title of Divus Augustus, the inhabitants of Tarraco decided to dedicate a temple to him. Less than a year later, they asked Tiberius for permission to build it. The image of the temple on the coins of Tiberius, as well as the archaeological remains, excavated at the highest point of the city (on the site of the present cathedral), testify to the fact that the plan was realised. Shortly afterwards, the imperial cult spread to other provinces of Hispania (Ulterior Baetica, Ulterior Lusitania), and temples dedicated to the emperor decorated city forums in other cities, especially the provincial capitals. The example of Tarraco was followed by Emerita Augusta, where the so-called Temple of Diana was erected in the city forum and the Temple of Augustus in the provincial forum. As recent archaeological research shows, in Colonia Patricia Corduba, in the 1st half of the 1st century, a temple in honour of the emperor was also built in the provincial forum, and in the 50s of the 1st century – another one in the city forum.

Wstęp

Author(s): Adriana Grzelak-Krzymianowska,Maria Judyta Woźniak / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

Salus populi est suprema lex ele sfide della "pandemia" di epoca romana

Author(s): Ines Matešković Matić / Language(s): Serbian Publication Year: 0

Various diseases and epidemic are as old as humanity and have always been integral part of human life, but today, at a time when we are facing a pandemic of the COVID-19 virus, it is worth remembering that epidemics and pandemics also shape history. The aim of this study is to show the extent of the epidemics that marked the Roman Empire: Antonine plague, Cyprian plague and Justinian plague. and to analyze the impact of these phenomena on the legal system. The author offers a concise overview of the Antonine plague, when witnesses reported that up to two thousands people died every day in Rome and deaths throughout the empire exceeded millions; the Cyprian Plague which at its peak caused five thousand deaths a day in Rome alone and unleashed political anarchy in the 3rd century; and eventually the Plague of Justinian, the epidemic that struck Constantinople and was the first documented pandemic in history , which caused tens of millions of deaths across the Mediterranean and Europe, and its though to have contributed to the end of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Using the historical - legal method, the author wants to show the impact of these epidemics on legislation and thus confirm the similarity with the consequences of the COVID- 19 pandemic that we are facing today and that confirms the maxim Salus Populi Suprema Lex.

PARADOX AS AN EXPRESSION OF THE INEXPRESSIBLE IN SEDULIUS’ PASCHAL SONG

Author(s): Róbert Horka / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In the middle of the Fifth century, a relatively mysterious Christian poet, Sedulius, wrote his epic composition named Paschal Song. In terms of contents, it is notably a description of Christ’s miracles according to the four Gospels. The poet is facing the reality of something that transcends the common human experience – according to what was defined by the Council of Ephesus and Chalcedon regarding the real divine and human nature of Christ. For such reason, even his poetical language is adapted, in order to describe something that contravenes common reality. A useful and suitable means for reaching this purpose is the frequently employed paradox. The reader/listener can get closer to the indescribable, unprecedented, and inexpressible mysterious nature of Christ. In this way, the author creates a very specific and elegant mystic – and his epic composition becomes a meditative text.

Демократични ли са народните събрания в Рим? Няколко аргумента срещу Полибий

Author(s): Aleksandra Dimitrova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Polybius is well-known for his Sixth book depicting the Roman state of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC as a unique mixed government combining the best elements of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy. With the monarchical element represented by the two consuls, the aristocratic element projected by the Senate and popular assemblies as a democratic institution, it all seems an elaborated and logical explanation of the mid-Republican Rome. But is it true? The aim of this text is to check if the Roman popular assemblies up to the time of Polybius were really democratic in the sense of Aristotle. The narratives of Cicero, Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus do not support any notion of Aristotelian democracy in the organization and procedures of the Roman popular assemblies.

Навлизане на християнството в Диоклецианопол

Author(s): Violina Traycheva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The present paper research the question of the penetration of the Christianity in Diocletianopolis. The period concerns the time between the emergence of the late antique city of Diocletianopolis and the middle of V c. The study is realized by using the references of the Christian temple architecture of the city. The author discusses the information of the emergence of the Christian temples in the late antique city, some problems in the historiography and in addition provides new questions and views. The high concentration of the Christian basilicas in the territory of one city makes it possible to be concluded that there was a highly developed Christian community in Diocletianopolis. In summary, it could be written that one of the earliest basilicas in the late antique city is Basilica No. 4a, as the primary building is dated in the middle of/the second half of IV c. Another basilica, which is a part of this period, is the primary building of Basilica No. 3. Basilicas No. 2, 5 and 8 are dated in the first half of V c. It could be noted that the earliest Christian temple of the interior of the city is Basilica No. 2.

Сцени на поклонение и ритуални жертвоприношения пред божествата върху цилиндрични печати (III–I хил. пр. Хр.)

Author(s): Zozan Tarhan / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The purpose of the present paper is to research the scenes of worship and ritual sacrifices before the deities, which are a part of the Mesopotamian cylinder seals. The research concerns the time from Early Dynastic Period until Neo-Assyrian Period. This type of scenes are represented at the earliest during the EDP III (c. 2600–2334 B. C.), but their quantity is not very high. From Akkadian period the number of the cultic scenes and the scenes of ritual sacrifices increased. During the Period of Third Dynasty of Ur/ Ur III the most popular scene on the cylinder seals is the cultic presentation of the worshiper by the priest or the mediator deity. In II mil. B. C. the scenes of worship and ritual sacrifices are frequently represented on the seals. In Neo-Assyrian period the cultic scene is very well registered, but the scenes of ritual sacrifices are not common. In addition the author discusses the question of the ritual activities and the role of divine statues as mediators to provide the communication between the worshipers and the gods. According to figs. 8–9 and some mythical texts I guess that the Mesopotamians distinguished the divine statue from the god. I guess that they recognized the statue as a symbol of the god and a way to show their worship to the god. In regard to the sacrifices, some authors consider that the ritual burning of the meat of the sacrificed animal did not exist in the Mesopotamian ritual. In this case the author of the current paper presents passages of ritual texts, which correspond with the scenes and prove that there was a ritual burning in the Mesopotamian sacrifices. It is also very important to be noted that in the Akkadian texts, especially in the ritual texts, concerning the ritual sacrifices for the gods, is registered and frequently presented the term maqalûtu/maqlûtu, which means ‘’burnt offering’’. This fact indicates even more categorically that the ritual burning of the meat is a part of the sacrifices in Mesopotamia. Moreover, some authors suggest that the meat is served only to the gods, i. e. for their statues and not to the worshipers. But these statements are suspicious, because the ritual and administrative texts provide the information that the worshipers also took part in the consumption of the meat of the sacrificed animal.The purpose of the present paper is to research the scenes of worship and ritual sacrifices before the deities, which are a part of the Mesopotamian cylinder seals. The research concerns the time from Early Dynastic Period until Neo-Assyrian Period. This type of scenes are represented at the earliest during the EDP III (c. 2600–2334 B. C.), but their quantity is not very high. From Akkadian period the number of the cultic scenes and the scenes of ritual sacrifices increased. During the Period of Third Dynasty of Ur/ Ur III the most popular scene on the cylinder seals is the cultic presentation of the worshiper by the priest or the mediator deity. In II mil. B. C. the scenes of worship and ritual sacrifices are frequently represented on the seals. In Neo-Assyrian period the cultic scene is very well registered, but the scenes of ritual sacrifices are not common. In addition the author discusses the question of the ritual activities and the role of divine statues as mediators to provide the communication between the worshipers and the gods. According to figs. 8–9 and some mythical texts I guess that the Mesopotamians distinguished the divine statue from the god. I guess that they recognized the statue as a symbol of the god and a way to show their worship to the god. In regard to the sacrifices, some authors consider that the ritual burning of the meat of the sacrificed animal did not exist in the Mesopotamian ritual. In this case the author of the current paper presents passages of ritual texts, which correspond with the scenes and prove that there was a ritual burning in the Mesopotamian sacrifices. It is also very important to be noted that in the Akkadian texts, especially in the ritual texts, concerning the ritual sacrifices for the gods, is registered and frequently presented the term maqalûtu/maqlûtu, which means ‘’burnt offering’’. This fact indicates even more categorically that the ritual burning of the meat is a part of the sacrifices in Mesopotamia. Moreover, some authors suggest that the meat is served only to the gods, i. e. for their statues and not to the worshipers. But these statements are suspicious, because the ritual and administrative texts provide the information that the worshipers also took part in the consumption of the meat of the sacrificed animal.

Основни мотиви в сцените по цилиндричните печати от периода Урук в Месопотамия

Author(s): Yoanna Dyulgerska / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The present paper includes summary and interpretation of the main motives on the scenes of Mesopotamian Uruk cylinder seals, adding also some new observations. The Late Uruk époque is dated in 34th – 30th centuries BC and is known as a period of the urban revolution. The center of this revolution is the city of Uruk in Lower Mesopotamia. The so-called “Uruk Culture” (according to the archaeological terminology) is part of the civilization of Ancient Sumer and represents the spirit of this civilization and its bearers. Then, side by side with the creation of the reliefs in miniature was created one of the first writings – the cuneiform. Both inventions contributed to the development of the civilization in the Ancient Near East and were used together for more than thirty centuries after. A review of the main motives engraved on the monuments is the basic aim of this study. The so called “Priest-king” is important figure in several motives and is accepted as a sign for a presence of hierarchy. The scenes with boats may be connected with some rituals. The scenes with rows of animals may have been used by certain department of administration. By studying the scenes on cylinder seals we can make some conclusion about the beliefs of the ancient inhabitants and their daily life. In some cases we can make a link between the connections of Sumer and Egypt where same motives on scenes of some local artifacts can be found in contemporary monuments.The present paper includes summary and interpretation of the main motives on the scenes of Mesopotamian Uruk cylinder seals, adding also some new observations. The Late Uruk époque is dated in 34rd – 30th centuries BC and is known as a period of the urban revolution. The center of this revolution is the city of Uruk in Lower Mesopotamia. The so-called “Uruk Culture” (according to the archaeological terminology) is part of the civilization of Ancient Sumer and represents the spirit of this civilization and its bearers. Then, side by side with the creation of the reliefs in miniature was created one of the first writings – the cuneiform. Both inventions contributed to the development of the civilization in the Ancient Near East and were used together for more than thirty centuries after. A review of the main motives engraved on the monuments is the basic aim of this study. The so called “Priest-king” is important figure in several motives and is accepted as a sign for a presence of hierarchy. The scenes with boats may be connected with some rituals. The scenes with rows of animals may have been used by certain department of administration. By studying the scenes on cylinder seals we can make some conclusion about the beliefs of the ancient inhabitants and their daily life. In some cases we can make a link between the connections of Sumer and Egypt where same motives on scenes of some local artifacts can be found in contemporary monuments.

Августовата идеология, въплътена в образността на храма на Mars Ultor

Author(s): Lilia Kyurkchiyska / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The purpose of the paper is to study the ideological messages sent by Augustus through architectural monuments, focusing its attention to the temple of Mars Ultor, seeing it as one monument with the forum of Augustus. The focus of this paper is set on the following questions – the long period of time between the oath of construction and the consecration of the temple. A lot of reasons of financial, political and ideological nature are considered. Special attention is drawn to Marcus Antonius’s relation to the monument as possible co-initiator and political adversary of Augustus. The second problem concerns concepts of the Roman mind, placed in the scheme of the temple and the forum. These concepts are given new ideological meaning by the one who order the construction. The study concludes that Augustus intentionally leaves the original idea so that he can draw the attention of the Roman society away from the civil wars to the secured presence which he guards.The purpose of the paper is to study the ideological messages sent by Augustus through architectural monuments, focusing its attention to the temple of Mars Ultor, seeing it as one monument with the forum of Augustus. The focus of this paper is set on the following questions – the long period of time between the oath of construction and the consecration of the temple. A lot of reasons of financial, political and ideological nature are considered. Special attention is drawn to Marcus Antonius’s relation to the monument as possible co-initiator and political adversary of Augustus. The second problem concerns concepts of the Roman mind, placed in the scheme of the temple and the forum. These concepts are given new ideological meaning by the one who order the construction. The study concludes that Augustus intentionally leaves the original idea so that he can draw the attention of the Roman society away from the civil wars to the secured presence which he guards.

Кухнята на Аристофановата комедия „Птиците“: еротика и политика

Author(s): Vanya Lozanova-Stancheva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian,Greek, Modern (1453-) Publication Year: 0

The article analyzes Aristophanes’ comedy The Birds performed in 414 BC at the City Dionysia and not long after the commencement of the Sicilian Expedition. The play is built largely on the specific culinary code defining the political and cultural „otherness” through „the birds’ life”. Information of this type can be organized into three main groups: – Motifs that characterize „the lifestyle/the diet of birds” scattered throughout the text of the comedy; – To this group gravitates the motive for the creation of the world as culinary confusion in so-called „Ornitogoniya” (vv. 693–702) in the first parabaza. – The alelofagiya’s motive, the motive of killing/eating conspecific, culminating in the episode with the penalty of rebelling against democracy birds (1579–1590; 1637; 1689), baked for the wedding of Pisthetaerus with Basileya.

Пердика II и Атина в контекста на Пелопонеската война

Author(s): Zhivko Zhekov / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The history of Ancient Macedonia and Athens in antiquity are closely related especially in the period V–IV BC. That their relationship is determined by several major factors including the first should be pointed out the need of the Athenians of wood for the production of military and commercial ships, which they imported mostly from Macedonia. No less important for Athens has a strategic location Macedonia right bank of the Thermaic Gulf, the control of which is of very great importance for the Athenians account their desire to master domination positions in the region of Halkidiki peninsula and along the lower reaches of the river Strimon. Macedonia immediately adjacent to these areas and can therefore be used as a base for their conquest, in case it was an ally of Athens. In their relationship during the Peloponnesian War is of particular interest. First, because of the relatively good condition of the source basis and secondly because in this period the contacts between them are especially intense and well reflected in the preserved ancient narrative tradition. The policy of Perdiccas II to Athens during the Peloponnesian War can be evaluated essentially as successful. Macedonai is facing a superior it in its military, political and economic force capabilities. He tried and largely managed to limit the Athenian influence in the region of Halkidiki. And because he has no powers skilfully using the resources of its allies.

За характера на еротичните фрески в крайградските терми на Помпей

Author(s): Ivanka Doncheva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The Suburban Baths in Pompeii were built around the end of the 1st century BC against the city walls north of the Porta Marina. They served as a public bath house to the residents of Pompeii They were originally discovered in 1958 and have since been excavated and restored. Excavation of the Suburban Baths have given historians a glimpse into an aspect of the social and cultural workings of Roman life in Pompeii. The entrance to the Baths is through a long corridor that leads into the dressing room. Excavation of the Baths revealed only one set of dressing rooms and has led to wonder by archaeologists that both men and women shared this facility. This dressing room (known as the apodyterium) is where archaeologists discovered erotic wall paintings in the 1980s. The dressing room then led to the tepidarium (lukewarm room), followed by the calidarium (hot room). The erotic wall paintings in the Suburban Baths are the only set of such art found in a public Roman bath house. Explicit sex scenes (such as group sex and oral sex) are depicted in these paintings that cannot be easily found in collections of erotic Roman art. The paintings are located in the apodyterium and each scene is located above a letterd. These boxes are thought to have functioned as lockers in which bathers put their clothes. It is speculated that the paintings possibly served as way for the bathers to remember the location of their box (in lieu with the numbering). The presence of these paintings in a public bath house shared by men and women gives some insight into Roman culture and suggests that people would not have found this offensive.