Posted on 03/20/2006 10:31:31 AM PST by Daralundy
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - A 2,500-year-old stone coffin with well-preserved colour illustrations from Homer's epics has been discovered in western Cyprus, archeologists said Monday.
"It is a very important find," said Pavlos Flourentzos, director of the island's antiquities department. "The style of the decoration is unique, not so much from an artistic point of view, but for the subject and the colours used."
Only two other similar sarcophagi have ever been discovered in Cyprus. Both are housed in New York's Metropolitan Museum, but their colour decoration is more faded.
The limestone sarcophagus was accidentally found by construction workers last week in a tomb near the village of Kouklia, in the coastal Paphos district. The tomb, which probably belonged to an ancient warrior, had been looted during antiquity.
Flourentzos said the coffin - painted in red, black and blue on a white background - dated to 500 BC, when Greek cultural influence was gaining a firm hold on the eastern Mediterranean island.
"The style is very simple, it has little to do with later Classical prototypes and rules," Flourentzos said.
Experts believe the ornate decoration features the hero Ulysses in scenes from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey - both hugely popular throughout the Greek world.
In one large painting, Ulysses and his comrades escape from the blind Cyclops Polyphemos' cave hidden under a flock of sheep.
Another depicts a battle between Greeks and Trojans from the Iliad.
"Ulysses - known for his archery skills - is taking on a whole army emerging from the gates of Troy on horseback and in chariots," Flourentzos said.
Archeologists think the scenes hint at the status of the coffin's occupant.
"Why else take these two pieces from Homer and why deal with Ulysses? Maybe this represents the dead person's character - who possibly was a warrior," Flourentzos said.
Reflecting a long oral tradition loosely based on historic events, Homer's epics were probably composed around 800 BC and written down in the 6th century BC.
ping
ping
Doh!
Pinz
Sorry, just had to. ;-)
'Homer' was a beer loving poet/writer, me thinks......
I found a photo by using Google News Search.
don'tcha know it?
Can't see the painted scenes, but the skulls are a nice touch!
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not bad got it in by # 4 reply...
Now if you could have found a pic of Homer in a toga...or stolla or whatever it was Greeks wore back when.. (when clothed that is.. and not down at the bath house or 'fitness center' with da boyze)
Another proof that the Iliad was divinely inspired! Praise Zeus!
Don't you mean "bier"?
Everyone would be distraught to see the looting of antiquities that has gone on in northern cyprus. It is disgusting and troublesome.
The ancient monastic school, the churches have been literally chiseled into ruble with thieves taking frescos and mosaics.
Byzantine era churches are now used as animal stables.
So, those stories WERE true!
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