‘A Marriage of the Aegean and the Orient’. Bronzes of the Siana Group Reconsidered

Author(s): Miloš Roháček / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2018

The material culture of the so -called Eastern Aegean–Western Anatolian Interface during the Late Bronze Age has so far been analysed mainly through the prism of ceramic production and funerary evidence. Both of these classes of evidence indicate its special character. To test this proposition, this contribution focuses on a group of possibly indigenous metal finds. In particular, discussed here is the so -called Siana Group of flanged swords and knives with a characteristic narrow tang at the end of the handle. They were first categorised by Nancy Sandars in 1963 and show an interesting mixture of Aegean and Near Eastern typological traits. Both the Siana swords and the Siana knives occur almost exclusively in the Eastern Aegean–Western Anatolian Interface, although some of the knives have been found also outside this particular region. The Siana Group, originally dated to LH IIIB–IIIC, can now be more securely dated to the LH IIIA2–IIIB periods. It seems that most of these metals came from graves, while some knives were retrieved from settlement contexts as well. It is argued here that this group presents a unique local product of the area of the Eastern Aegean–Western Anatolian Interface, incorporating and transforming both Aegean and Near Eastern influences. Moreover, other examples of earlier or contemporary Western Anatolian finds of swords that have shapes that did not typically occur in the Aegean are presented here as well, as they illustrate the local background of weapon styles the LH II/III turn in the area.

‘A POTAISSA NAPOCAE MP X’. TRAJAN’S IMPERIAL ROAD AND THE MANSIO FROM AITON (CLUJ COUNTY)

Author(s): Florin Gheorghe Fodorean / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2015

Nowadays Aiton is a small village located in the center part of the Cluj County, between Turda and ClujNapoca. At Aiton, during the Roman times, an important rural settlement was established, in close relation with the main road of Roman Dacia. Archaeological investigations in the area of this village were carried out mostly in the last century, but most are accidental discoveries. During the Roman period, Aiton was probably an important rural settlement within the territory of Potaissa, and we suppose that a taberna was set up here. Why? First, because of the distance from Potaissa: 10 Roman miles. Second, because of the discoveries within the territory of the village. My purpose is to analyze, interpret and map all data available. Based on what we know so far, I was able to distinguish two areas with Roman discoveries. One is located in the northern part of the village, close to the Roman road. I reached the conclusion that in this part of the village we should locate the former taberna. The other area in located in the eastern part of the village. I concluded that we should locate the rural settlement here. All in all, these data allowed me to conclude that Aiton represented, during Roman times, an important settlement between Potaissa and Napoca.

‘And there, unworthy as I was, I wrote the names of my parents’

the family identity of supplicants in pilgrimsʼ graffiti and dedicatory inscriptions from the Late Roman and Byzantine East

Author(s): Paweł Nowakowski / Language(s): English / Issue: XVI/2017

The present paper discusses the patterns of self-representation used by pilgrims to Eastern pilgrimage shrines, based on the evidence of late antique and early medieval graffiti, and dedicatory inscriptions, in particular the way the pilgrims stressed their family relationships. First the practice of executing graffiti on behalf of absent family members is analysed, as documented by the Pilgrim of Piacenza. There follows a survey of Greek graffiti from several majors sites: the port of Grammata on the island of Syros, Rusafa, Mizpe Shivta, and Ephesos,which reveal a number of formulae of prayers on behalf of one’s household (oikos), extended family, and individual family members: fathers, mothers, and other relatives. The paper includes a short Appendix with remarks on differences between pilgrim graffiti in the East andthose known from Roman suburban cemeteries.

‘Archers’ of the Blessed City: City’s Deliverance in the Coinage of Early Hellenistic Olbia

Author(s): Vladimir F. Stolba / Language(s): English / Issue: 10/2015

Despite continuous and thorough studies of Olbian coinage, the chronology of some coin series produced by this Pontic city and the messages communicated by their types remain obscure. One such controversial issue, standing out from the total mass, is the so-called ‘archers’, the early Hellenistic coins bearing the image of Demeter in mural crown on the obverse and an archer on the reverse. Taking an integrated approach, this article examines archaeological, iconographical, stylistic and prosopographical evidence elucidating the chronology of this issue and demonstrates its association with the major turning point in the city’s history, namely its deliverance from the siege laid by Macedonian troops in the course of Zopyrion’s campaign against the Scythians around 331 BC.

‘Sasanian’ silver plate from al-Ṣabāḥ Collection in light of aesthetic features of Sasanian toreutics

Author(s): Patryk SKUPNIEWICZ / Language(s): English / Issue: 8/2019

Recently published silver plate from al-Sabah Collection, of unknown provenance, has been firmly attributed as Sasanian. In fact, technically, it is related to the Sasanian silverwork however aesthetic examination allows to raise the doubts whether it is genuine. The plate must be compared not only with central-Sasanian artworks but all ancient ‘Oriental silver’, including pieces attributed as Hephtalite or Sogdian. The design of the plate does not have any relation with any of the known examples of late antique oriental toreutics. Central scene of heroic combat with powerful beast or beasts has never been surrounded with the ring containing other hunting scenes is unknown as well. The disbalanced decorum is even more clear when we remind that the central scene shows hunting on foot and the marginal ones – mounted. The details of fixed aesthetic elements – position of personages, beasts, weapons do not belong to Sasanian canon. The unique nature of the plate might result from many factors but the combination of unknown provenance and lack of relation to legitimate Sasanian canon require utmost cautiousness towards the object.

‘Synaspismos’ and its possibility in the Macedonian Styled Phalanx

Author(s): Jean Du Plessis / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2019

Ancient authors such as Aelian, Asclepiodotus, and Polybius all mention the Macedonian phalanx adopting a formation called the synaspismosin which the files of soldiers are so close together that their shields would overlap. Modern authors such as Walbank, Englishand Matthew argues that such a formation was impossible to assume in a battle scenario and that the ancient writers were mistaken, in its use in combat. Their argument is based on the fact that the manner of bearing the shield (peltē) and pike (sarissa) does not allow for such a tight formation. Through the use of experimental archaeology, this article however argues that the synaspismosformation was indeed a possibility, and that we are mistaken in modern view of how the phalangitewielded the sarissapike.

‘The king, my lord, wrote me in a tablet: “…” ’ (EA 149:54 – 55): direct citation and communication in the syro-canaanite el-amarna letters

Author(s): Idan Breier / Language(s): English / Issue: 4/2018

This paper examines the use of direct citation in the correspondence between the Egyptian Pharaoh and his officials and his Syro-Canaan vassals in the El-Amarna archive. A frequent phenomenon in the modern and ancient world alike, direct citation serves to support the writer’s claims, lay the blame on or absolve others, demonstrate loyalty, and depict distress. The examples adduced fall into four categories: authoritative, third-party, confirmative, and fabricated/ imaginary speech. Raising the question of the validity of applying modern linguistic theories to ancient sources, these types are analysed in the light of the international diplomacy that flourished in the Fertile Crescent during the 14th-century BCE.

’Gold’ in Mycenaean Greek and Indo-European

Author(s): Krzysztof Tomasz Witczak / Language(s): English / Issue: 4/1994

“AN HESITATING JOURNEY THROUGH FOREIGN KNOWLEDGE”: NICULESCU, THE OSTRICH, AND CULTURE HISTORY

Author(s): Florin Curta / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2014

In a recent article, Gh. A. Niculescu raises the question of the relation between culture-historical archaeology and the so-called “production of knowledge” on ethnic phenomena. He targets the works of Volker Bierbrauer, Sebastian Brather, and Florin Curta. At a closer examination, however, Niculescu’s paper is based on a distorted understanding of what culture history actually is, and on wrong assumptions about such fundamental concepts as ethnicity or (material culture) style. Besides flaws in this line of thinking, his paper reveals Niculescu’s dishonest citation practices, his efforts to create a straw man, and his weak credentials for assuming any critical position in terms of the “production” of archaeological literature in the culture-historical mode. Beyond rhetorical tricks and smearing tactics, Niculescu does not in fact advance any solution to the problem, and remains ambiguous, if not altogether confused about the role of “social sciences” in the archaeology of (medieval) ethnicity.

“Classicism for all”: another way of disseminating antiquity ― the artistic movie

Author(s): Florentina-Cristina Gîlcă / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2015

For centuries, the role of the humanistic studies and of the classical heritage has been regarded as central and irreplaceable. Over the past decades, however, changes have occurred in various sectors, including science and education, which is why classics are facing many difficulties. This paper aims to present a new initiative which attempts to overcome the classical education crisis and capture the interest for classical Antiquity, opportunity offered by cinematic depictions.

“Dezidijati”: Identitetski konstrukt između antičkih i suvremenih percepcija

Author(s): Danijel Džino / Language(s): Bosnian / Issue: 38/2009

This paper discusses the ancient identity known from the sources as the Daesitiates. The crucial question that this paper raises is: what is hidden behind the term Daesitiates? Is this term a construct of the ancient sources and modern interpretations, or did it exist once as a historical “reality”, and whose reality did that term represent? Currently the prevailing scholarly opinion is that the Daesitiates represented an ethnic or proto-ethnic community, which developed through different stages of social organisation from the late Bronze Age throughout the Iron Age to the arrival of the Romans in the first century BC, ultimately becoming a “people” or a “people-making community”.

“Holy Money”: Gods, Men and Economy in Antiquity

Author(s): Paolo Corrente / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2017

Religion and economy have had a very important role in shaping society and their connection to social matters has been present since the very appearance of money and birth of economic activities. In antiquity, the bond between religion and economy was very strong because ancient world was symbolic and was embedded with magic and religious ideas: economy was part of this “wholeness”, because it inherited from the past the social practices aimed at the well-being of people, which were under the direct protection of the gods. The aim of my paper, hence, is to analyze the religious dimensions of money and economy in ancient societies, following the perspective of philosophy and mythology. Through the guide of a careful observer of human behavior, the great philosopher Aristotle, both disciplines can give interesting insights on the effect economy can have on society. The background for my research will be the cultures of ancient Mediterranean world, in particular, Greece and Mesopotamia, for we have a considerable amount of documents and literary works, whereas, regarding the methodology, I will approach the texts from an historical and comparative perspective.

“METAMORPHOSIS OF THE ROCK”. DEPOT FIND OF STONE TOOL PREFORMS AT VESZPRÉM-KÁDÁRTA

Author(s): J. Antoni / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2012

A depot find of stone tool preforms and ground stone tools was uncovered at Gelemér–Ráchalála near Veszprém in 2010. The author describes the objects and tries to identify the methods of manufacturing and use.

“MYRRHA ET AROMATIBUS PRETIOSISSIMIS”. THE USE OF AROMATICS IN ROMAN DOBRUDJA (SECOND-SIXTH CENTURIES AD)

Author(s): Ioan Iaţcu / Language(s): English / Issue: 38/2019

În spaţiul cuprins între Dunăre şi Marea Neagră, cunoscut în Antichitate ca Scythia Minor, substanţele aromate, cum erau tămâia şi smirna, au fost nelipsite din sacrificiile religioase organizate în cinstea zeilor tradiţionali romani. Arderea tămâii contribuia la intensificarea experienţelor senzoriale şi uşura efectul mnemonic al ritualurilor religioase. În ceea ce priveşte smirna, aceasta era o răşină aromatică folosită cu predilecţie în scopuri funerare, aşa cum aflăm din „Viaţa şi suferinţele Sfinţilor martiri Epictet şi Astion”, eveniment petrecut în jurul anului 290 p. Chr. Originare din Arabia, Etiopia şi Somalia, acestea erau bunuri ce străbăteau distanţe mari, iar oraşul Tomis se situa la capătul unei mari linii de comerţ. Astfel, în secolele V-VI p. Chr., pentru necesităţile liturgice mitropolia Tomisului era nevoită să importe răşini vegetale şi aromatice din diverse centre orientale ale Imperiului. Nu este exclus ca preţioasele răşini să fi fost comercializate de către Patriarhia Alexandriei, care, de obicei, deținea monopolul unor asemenea produse. Răşinile şi aromatele aduse din Orient pătrundeau şi în teritoriile nord-pontice prin intermediul porturilor de la Marea Neagră ori Dunărea de Jos. Pe tot parcursul Antichităţii târzii constatăm că aromaticele erau extrem de importante în relaţiile politice dintre Imperiul Roman şi diversele căpetenii barbare. Asemenea produse erau trimise ca daruri ori ca stipendii neamurilor barbare, care obişnuiau să utilizeze răşinile în cadrul ceremoniilor religioase, iar plantele aromatice în prepararea medicamentelor sau în gastronomie.

ἦ μάλα θαῦμα κύων ὅδε κεῖτ᾽ ἐνὶ κόπρῳ: THE ANAGNORISIS OF ODYSSEUS AND HIS DOG ARGOS (HOM. OD. 17, 290–327)

Author(s): Magnus Frisch / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2017

In the Odyssey, there is a description of Odysseus being recognized by his age-old and decrepit dog Argos, whom he had reared and trained himself before his departure for Troy. This so-called Argos episode (Od. 17.290–327) is still famous today. It has been continuously treated by generations of scholars from antiquity to our time and served as an inspiration to both the visual arts and literature. The present article deals with the function and intended effects of the Argos scene. After a brief synopsis of the position of this scene within the Odyssey as well as of its content and structure, the author discusses the role of dogs in the Iliad and the Odyssey. The focus of this article lies on the interpretations of the Argos scene, suggested by scholars so far, and on their review by means of a close reading to check their plausibility.

Ὁμόγλωττοι παρὰ μικρον?

Author(s): Antonio Panaino / Language(s): English / Issue: 22/2015

This article analyses the historical and linguistic implications that emerge from a very famous passage preserved by Strabo (XV, 2, 8 [C 724]), but probably belonging to Eratosthenes’ Geographika, which states that Persians, Medes, Bactrians and Sogdians would “speak approximately the same language, with but slight variations” (εἰσὶ γάρ πως καὶ ὁμόγλωττοι παρὰ μικρόν). This assumption is untenable, because even before Eratosthenes’ time the Iranian languages were well distinguished. The suggested homoglossia should be explained in political terms, as the result of a practical diffusion of a variety of Old Persian in the army and in the satrapal administration. In the framework of a socio-linguistic and ethno-linguistic analysis of the historical situation attested in the Persian Empire, this study also tackles the problem of the meaning to be attributed to the word arya- in a linguistic context, as that of § 70 of Bisutun inscription. This terminology is discussed not only in connection with the one attested in the recently discovered Rabatak Inscription, but also with the documentation preserved in the Khotanese Book of Zambasta 23, 4–5, and – outside of the strictly Iranian milieu – in the Aitareya Āraṇyaka III, 2, 5.With regard to the frequently claimed homoglossia, this study concludes that any description of the linguistic semi-unity of the Iranian ethne, or only of the North-Eastern Iranian ones, is a dream, and, as far as we know about the linguistic history of these peoples, not only a conclusion insufficiently grounded, but a highly improbable linguistic mirage. A “permafrosted” Irano-Aryan still spoken by all the Iranians as a sort of “Esperanto” ante litteram has no historical basis, nor does the idea that arya- was the name of a still preserved “common language,” if this expression should be interpreted as a surviving unifying archaic jargon of all the Iranians (and not a practical Western Iranian koiné, imposed by the Old Persian authorities as a comfortable medium). The “Aryan” linguistic identity thus assumed other, fully historical, implications, although it was based on a tradition, partly original and derived by an ancestral cultural heritage, partly invented, especially in its socio-linguistic and sociopolitical implications, as normally happens when power and its legitimacy are strongly involved.

ЈУНАЦ КОЈИ БОДЕ У ЗАКОНОПРАВИЛУ СВЕТОГА САВЕ

Author(s): Milena Polojac / Language(s): Serbian / Issue: 2/2017

Famous legislation concerning goring ox attracted considerable interest of legal historians and comparatists. In the first part of the article the author presents ancient Near Eastern provisons of the Laws of Eshnunna, the Code of Hammurabi and the Moses’ legislation in their interrelationship. The singularity of the biblical legislation is stressed particularly under two points: 1) the ox must be stoned to death 2) its flesh may not be consumed. The same set of rules exists also in the Zakonopravilo of Saint Sava – chapter 48 paragraph 21. These rules are taken over from the Old Testament. Compared to the biblical text there is a small but very important modification in the Ilovica transcript, the oldest transcript preserved: the ox has to be stoned but its flesh may be eaten. The Ilovica transcript (ca. 1262) is not only chronologically nearest to Sava’s autograph. It is probably also textually closest to it. The same wording can be found in the Sarajevo transcript (ca. 1371) and in the Belgrade transcript (ca. 1470). After examining some relevant historical and social circumstances, author came to the final, highly hypothetical conclusion that the mistake was present already in the lost original.

Ямная, не ямная (обзор современных работ о курганных погребениях Подунавья)

Author(s): Leo S. Klejn / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 2/2017

Geneticists now maintain that the massive migration of Yamnaya culture people to the west lead to the formation of Corded Ware cultures and thereby to distribution of Indo-European languages in Europe. Yet the most intensive genetic contribution of supposedly population of Yamnaya culture appears not close to this culture but in the remote Northern brink of Europe, i. e. on maximal distance from Yamnaya.The author substantiates that Yamnaya cannot be the source of Corded Ware cultures. As it follows from V. Heyd’s meticulous studies (just a partisan of Yamnaya migration), the kurgan antiquities in the Hungarian steppes are divided in two parts: one is Eneolithic culture (or cultures) dated to the IV mill. BC and as distinct from Yamnaya as the Eneolithic cultures of Ukrainian steppes (Lower Mikhaylivka and Kvityana), while the other is Early Bronze Age culture of the III mill. and it has the same burial custom as Yamnaya but completely different ceramics — flat-bottomed and local one. Western archaeologists consider this culture as Yamnaya but I suggested long ago to hold this culture as not Yamnaya and to give it a separate name. Now S. N. Ivanova, the most authoritative Ukrainian specialist in Yamnaya culture, accepts my suggestion and calls this different unit Budzhak culture.Corded beakers and amphorae in this culture occur but find no prototypes in the same culture. So these are simply imports or borrowings from simultaneous Corded Ware cultures.

Ятвяги в Х-XI вв.: "балтское племя" или "береговое братство"?

Author(s): A. S. Kibin / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 2/2008

The paper deals with the processes of ethnic constructions in the Upper Nieman river basin and neighbor regions in the 10th-11th cent. The most significant conclusion is that the Jatviags were not "the Baltic tribe" but this name evolved in the time: in the 10th-11th cent. this name signified a river trade and warrior bands in the basin of the Upper Nieman, but from sources of the 13th cent. appears the image of mental geography structuring a difficult political situation in Baltic societies of the region.

معرفی سنگ¬نگاره¬های نویافته با نقوش حیوانی در بررسی باستان-شناختیمنطقه¬ی فارس جنوبی

Author(s): Ahmad SARKHOSH,Samer NAZARI,Marzieh SHA'RBAF / Language(s): Persian / Issue: 4/2015

The rock art has particular position in anthropological and archaeological studies.Analysis of these motifs plays a significant role in understanding culture, beliefs, socialrelations and other aspects of daily life. Creation of petroglyphs has a long history in Iranand are widespread in most parts of the country. The area of study in this essay is Beyramplain which is located in Larestan city in the southern part of Fars province. Duringarchaeological systematic survey in this area, some petroglyphs with various animal motifswere detected and recorded, that can be considered as a part of art and memorials ofresidents in this settlements. The relative chronology of these motifs is based on analogy andcomparative studies with obtained samples from adjacent areas. This research has beenperformed through both field study and library method. It used the descriptive-analyticalmethods in order to present, describe, design and compare the newly discovered petroglyphsat Beyram plain. In order to have a detailed analysis of the motifs, ethnographic studies andtalking with shepherds and natives were done. And based on these studies, a possiblefunction will be suggested for these kinds of motifs.