The Wild Hunt (https://wildhunt.org/tag/ancient-rome)
Medusa is making a little comeback. Recent archaeological discoveries in Türkiye and Austria reveal unexpected images of Medusa, from a smiling ceiling carving to a finely cut gemstone cameo. These finds highlight her ancient role as a protective figure and her enduring presence in religious, civic, and personal life.
In an age where religious minorities — especially Pagans — already face real marginalization, suspicion, and in some cases, violence, Brooks’s carelessness, and by proxy, The New York Times’s carelessness for publishing it with little editorial concern, is irresponsible.
New research suggests that ancient statues were not only painted and adorned but also covered with oils and perfumed.
“Nearly everyone in this film is obsessed with the Rome that was, where the emperor was a scholar instead of a syphilitic club kid in a toga,” writes Meg Elison in her review of Ridley Scott’s new film. “It is much easier to complain about a bad government than to build one that works. See Virgil for more on this. See Hannah Arendt. See Marija Gimbutas. See all of human history. See the news.”
Siobhan Ball celebrates the end of apple season with the myths and folklore surrounding Pomona, the Roman goddess of apples, and includes a frustrating but authentic recipe for a Minutal of Fruit from Apicius, the ancient Roman gourmand.