
TROY AND MYCENAE
![]() ANCIENT TROYA glimpse of the current archaeological site of King Priams great city. The lovely paved ramp is from the Roman period of the city. | ![]() ANCIENT MYCENAEA view of the acropolis from which Agamemnon ruled from. |
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MYCENAEAN
![]() THE CATALOGUE OF SHIPSThe areas of Greece contributing contingents for the Trojan war, and the allies that would assist the Trojans. | ![]() BULL FRESCOA partially reconstructed example of Mycenaean fresco, note the figure leaping and grabbing the horns of a bull. | ![]() THE LION GATEMonumental entry to Mycenae, constructed in the 13th century BCE it enclosed grave circle A which is located just inside and to the right of picture. |
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![]() TOMB OF AGAMEMNONThe processional dromos (avenue) leading into the Tholos tomb of Mycenaean royalty. | ![]() INSIDE THE THOLOSView looking out of the tomb of Agamemnon. Note the size of the lintel over the doorway. | ![]() LINEAR BAn example of Linear B script. It has much in common with earlier script of Crete known as Linear A. |
![]() BOAR TUSK HELMA Mycenaean boar tusk encrusted helm, the type Odysseus was armed with before heading out on a raid against Troy. | ![]() VOLUTE KRATERHoused in the British Museum, this Krater (wine jug) shows Iphigenia being led to the sacrificial alter, her father wields the dagger and Artemis and Apollo watch on. |
HELEN
![]() Helen with PriamStock image of Helen above the Scaean gate watching, as the lines of battle draw apart, a duel between her two husbands begin. | ![]() Helen at the Scaean gateBy Gustave Moreau (c1880) This image of a faceless Helen speaks to her every-woman quality. Is her face turned in despair or a longing for home? | ![]() Leda and the SwanBy Cesare de Sesto, 1505 to 1510. A famous painting showing Zeus in swan form, Leda and the 4 children of the mythical union. |
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![]() Abduction of HelenBy Francesco Primaticcio, 1530 to 1539. Showing Helen being carted off to her fate with Aphrodite watching on. | ![]() Abduction of HelenBy Luca Giordano, this image shows Helen writhing as she is carried away by Paris | ![]() Theseus and PierithousShowing the two heroes playing dice over the fate of Helen of Sparta. |
![]() Theatre of DionysusWhere the ancient tragedians, Euripides, Aeschylus and Sophocles plied their trade in 5th BCE, Athens. |
DIOSCURI
![]() MARBLE RELIEF OF THE DIOSCURI2nd Centure CE sculpture depicting the twins with their ever present steeds, beneath their stars. | ![]() The temple of Castor and PolluxRemains of the Dioscuri's temple in the Forum Romanum. | ![]() Calydonian boar huntIn this image we see Atalanta in purple, with bow in hand. Meleager is dealing the final blow with our twins hemming the beast in from horse back. |
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![]() The Argo's escape from ColchisIn this image we see Medea casting her younger brother overboard. | ![]() Constellation GeminiThe twins final resting place in the stars. |
ANTHOLOGY OF MYTH
![]() Perseus with Medusa's headThis 1554 statue by Benvenuto Cellini shows our hero at his moment of victory. Note the hooked sword, a gift from the god Hephaestus. | ![]() Oedipus and the SphinxAn 1864 painting by one of my favourite artists, Gustave Moreau. In the foreground you can see the remains of those who answered the riddle incorrectly. | ![]() Bellerophon and ChimeraThis black figure image from the 6th century is from the region of Laconia, possibly made by the Perioeci who lived in the spartan surrounds. |
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![]() Yanartas, the chimera flames.Burning since ancient times, this place in southern Turkey is believed to be where the Chimera fell to the earth dead, slain by Bellerophon. |
BRONZE AGE COLLAPSE
![]() Treat of KadeshThis is the fragmentary remains of the Hittite's formal acceptance of terms with the Egyptian's. Inscribed in Cuneiform. | ![]() Sea people reliefThis relief is inscribed on the mortuary temple of Ramses the third. The sea people are shown surrounded by the Egyptian forces, the big guy with the bow is Ramses himself, showing his men how it's done. | ![]() UgaritThe remains of the once proud city of Ugarit. |
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![]() Sea people migrations.An impression of possible sea people migrations, and other invasions of the late bronze age. | ![]() Uluburun shipwreckA perfectly preserved time capsule of eastern Mediterranean trade during the bronze age. |
DARK AGE LACONIA
![]() The MenelaionThe iron age Spartan's set up a sanctuary here to worships, Helen, the Dioscuri and Menelaus. Nearby are the most significant Mycenaean remains in Laconia. This is possibly the location of Homeric Sparta. | ![]() The Eurotas riverThe main arterial of Laconia | ![]() The Taygetos rangeA view of modern Sparta with the famous Taygetos range looming in the background. |
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![]() The PeloponneseSparta's location within the peninsula. | ![]() Topographical map of early SpartaShowing the location of the 4 original village, acropolis and religious sanctuaries. Circa 950 BCE. |
JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS
![]() Jason and Serpent alternateAn image showing a different version of Apollonius's story. Jason is regurgitated by the snake with the aid of Athena. Resting in the background is the fleece. | ![]() Amikos boundAnother alternate scene, depicting King Amikos in chains rather than beaten to death by Polydeuces. | ![]() The BoreadsThe brothers Zetes and Calais assist Phineus. |
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APOLLO'S FAITHFUL
![]() Apollo and HyacinthusA morose Apollo cradles the dying Hyacinthus. | ![]() The Serpent ColumnTaken in 2012, the Serpent column by night in Istanbul. | ![]() Athena of the Brazen HouseThese are the remains of Athena's temple within Sparta, resting on the edge of the acropolis. |
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![]() Temple of Artemis OrthiaThe remains of the temple of Artemis Orthia in Sparta. | ![]() Apollo KarneiosThis image depicts Apollo with rams horns sprouting from his head. |
RAISING SPARTANS
![]() KYNISKA INSCRIPTIONThe inscription of Kyniska, sister of King Agesilaus, on winning the wreath in the 4 horse chariot event. | ![]() SPARTAN BOY TAKEN TO THE AGOGEFrom Frank Miller adaptation of 300, this image speaks of the harshness of Spartan society. | ![]() Young-Spartans-Exercising-Edgar-DegasThis 19th century painting by Edgar Degas was apparently inspired by Plutarch's life of Lycurgus and depicts, for my mind at least, how Spartan youths would have exercised. Mt Taygetos rises in the background. |
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![]() spartan-womanThis bronze figurine is believed to depict a young Spartan women either running or more likely dancing. |
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
![]() 6the Cent. Peloponnesian LeagueA great image to show the Spartan area of increasing influence within, and to a degree outside, the Peninsula. | ![]() TegeaThis is the ruin of the Tegeate's temple to Athena Alea, where the chains of Spartan prisoners were displayed. (not my photo) | ![]() Olympia StadiumReady, set, go. |
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![]() Sicyon treasureRuins of a treasury set up by Sicyon at Delphi, situated prominently along the Sacred way. (not my photo) | ![]() Acro-CorinthA view from a Roman era forum in ancient Corinth. Acro-Corinth rises majestically in the background. | ![]() DiolkosPart of the excavated remains of the Diolkos. (not my photo) |
![]() Corinthian CanalA view along the canal that took 2500 years to construct. |
EMBASSIES AND ENEMIES
![]() VIX KRATERThis Laconian Krater, or overgrown wine mixing bowl, was found in the grave of a early Celtic queen from around 500 BCE. Believed to be similar to the one meant as a gift to King Croesus. | ![]() Lydian Empire around 560 BCE.The red line shows the greatest extent of the empire under Croesus' rule. For reference Samos is the island west and in between of Ephesus and Miletus. | ![]() Kouroi of Klebis and BitonStanding proudly, the brothers who pulled their mothers cart to the sanctuary of Hera in Argos. |
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![]() Temple of HeraThe foundations and one solitary, reconstructed column of the once mighty temple to Hera within the Heraion of Samos. | ![]() PythagorioLooking out over the modern town of Pythagorio, named after Pythagoras who was native to the island of Samos. You can see part of the mole, commissioned by Polycrates, still being used today on the left of shot. | ![]() Tunnel of EupalinosThe aqueduct shaft that fed water to the ancient polis of Samos, also commissioned by Polycrates and named after its engineer. |
![]() Aqueduct entraceEntrance to the main workman shaft of the aqueduct. |