Ancient Paestum: City Of The Greeks And Romans

mmmm some centuries before the Romans occupied the entire Italian peninsula Greek colonists left their homeland and established colonies one of these settlements was founded here on the plane of pesto in the 6th century BC but men had lived on this Mediterranean plain of custom since prehistoric times in the soft banks of limestone using crude implements prehistoric men excavated tombs for their death inside these tombs were placed vases and other utensils from which the dead could serve themselves in the afterlife among the utensils found was a curiously designed salt cellar stone tools were used by these prehistoric men they had also begun to use some weapons made of copper these black clay vases were buried in the tombs by a later people they came to Peston between the ninth and seventh centuries BC inside large urns they place the ashes of their dead several centuries past the plane of Peston became the home of a Greek colony the colony was later occupied in the third century BC by the Romans eventually the Romans fled to the mountains when marshes covered the city thus the site of Peston was lost in the 18th century however the city was rediscovered and a plan of the community was reconstructed by archaeologists today the remains of the city are still studied this was an imposing tower from which the inhabitants might watch for attack set in these great walls were the gates of the city the gate of the siren the gate of the sea and the easily accessible gate of Justice were among them paved roads led into the city the city central zone originally contained sacred and public buildings but when marshes covered other zones homes were hastily built in this central area in this same section of the city often called the forum is a small thermal or hot water bath mar more impressive is this large rectangular swimming pool set in the midst of a larger gymnasium in the western part of the city an amphitheater located on the north side of the forum was fashioned from two structures one of these is a temple built in the fourth century BC this is the oldest amphitheater in Italy and was the setting for many gladiatorial games the temple was possibly the Roman capital each column of the temple was topped by a composite capital on the temple freeze graceful feminine figures were carved the amphitheater was close to the central forum the farm was the chief centre of business and politics at the southern end of the forum stands the temple called the Basilica the oldest known Doric temple dating back to the middle of the 6th century BC dedicated to the powerful mother goddess Hera the massive temple is an example of the early Doric style of architecture this style was later to reach its height on the Greek mainland in the age of Pericles unlike later Greek architecture these columns are set into their stone bases the supporting columns swell like live muscles under the weight of the heavy architrave the doric capitals for the most part are designed like squashed pillows across from the Basilica is the temple of Neptune erected in the 5th century BC this is one of the best preserved temples of the ancient Greeks in all the world there is a beautiful proportion between the horizontal architrave and the sculptured fries above the interior is also beautifully proportioned a roll of smaller columns call the second order stands on the larger color an even better picture of the temple as it stood about 2,400 years ago will be hours after further restoration by skilled archaeologists found near this temple were silver disks dedicated to hero statuettes represented the mother goddess Hera in different attitudes these are incense burners Kira is usually shown as a symbol of motherhood sometimes she is the mythical sibley sometimes shown with Zeus her husband kira the mother goddess was worshipped by the greeks and later by the Romans as juno many temples were dedicated to her today these temples are in almost complete ruin but there remains give us some idea of the importance of the mother goddess in the lives of the Greeks and Romans and unique underground temple of the sixth century BC has been excavated it is covered by a double sloping roof of tile slabs after offerings had been deposited the temple was sealed by heavy stone blocks on a base or altered were placed long iron objects perhaps hunting weapons also found in the temple were several bronze vases originally filled with honey these Hydri or water jars our authentic masterpieces of the bronze work of greater Greece during the sixth century BC a large amphora was also found on one side the labors of Hercules are shown on the other mythical figures perform a dance the work of a great Greek master this amphora was offered to the goddess even though the base had been repaired another temple in the city's sacred area was probably dedicated to Athena the patron goddess of Athens it's rectangular interior plan is quite simple the columns are similar to those of the Basilica but not as heavy the West facade of the temple is in fairly good condition this sandstone capital comes from the temple vestibule this base fragment inscribed Minerva was actually dedicated to Athena as was this statuette they were found in the temple ruins along with other religious fragments belonging to several historical eras statues like this of Aphrodite Greek goddess of love and beauty cupid's on dolphins and joyful dancers were also found only a few architectural ornaments remain in the archaic temples of pesto here are portions of a Greek fries the design has been reconstructed in this draw this seated figure is probably Zeus it is a fine example of terracotta sculpture the remains of a tile on the back of this terracotta feminine bust indicates that it was used as an architectural ornament this statue has shoes like those worn by the Etruscans this bull is of the same artistic style some ornaments were made of ivory plates like these showing sacred games were possibly meant as decorations for boxes statutes were also carved of ivory among the few pieces of bronze that have been excavated our sphinxes and other decorations such as masculine figures but this little bronze harpy surpasses them all for delicacy of workmanship this figure was symbolic of municipal liberty some ornaments were made of marble pottery vases are very common this splendid Emperor was made by a master Greek craftsman most of the Greek vases found our of the Lakotas type scenes of warriors on horseback are frequently used for decoration the center like Athos is the work of a painter named Vegas sometimes other forms of vases are found in the tubes I'd read decorated with scenes from the plays of the great Greek dramatist Aeschylus are the work of the school of another famous Greek painter STS in other tombs graceful trays are found splendid goblets and marriage faces often with several lids which served a variety of purposes silver coins were used and pest him during the sixth century BC a recent discovery has been that of tomb paintings frequently the subjects of these paintings are funeral games here a deceased noble woman is shown spinning funeral games take place in her honor gladiators struggle wound each other and die a spirited chariot race also takes place maidservants and relatives grieve and pull their hair the head of the deceased is supported by a relative behind her the demon of death plays a flute the dead woman takes her last journey in a cart drawn by mules their lowered heads indicates sadness in another tomb a conquering warrior is shown in all his glory the architecture of this tomb is characteristic it has a curved entrance arch large stone blocks and the usual tomb paintings various pieces of bronze armor were often buried with warriors the italic helmets have tubes in which white feathers were inserted this one decorated with bronze wings was possibly for dress uniform antiquities like these are unearthed daily at Peston through the hard and patient work of archaeologists little by little their work is reconstructing the history of the city today's excavations have come to an end but tomorrow the work of bringing the past to life will begin again the task of recreating the lives and times of the people who lived in this flourishing city of the ancient Greeks and Romans custom Oh