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New paintings found at Pompeii
- gadders 2y agoFFS: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39999030 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39999030
- DyslexicAtheist 2y agotime of submission matters, but it's strange that this post wasn't marked as duplicate of your submission
- 48864w6ui 2y agoAt least the donkeys, and not the slaves, were on the other side of the wall from the banquet hall. (Was the thin side passage storage, or for muzak?)
- angiosperm 2y agoThe alley was the way to the slaves' rooms, so supplies and slaves would not need to traipse through the manor. The slaves probably slept right there, or in rooms above got to by ladders.
- angiosperm 2y agoNo one remarks how trite and formulaic the frescoes' compositions are. They are painted as if from soap-opera re-enactments performed by actors bored to tears. Evidently whoever commissioned the frescoes couldn't tell, cared less, or could do nothing about it. That who paid for them was Aulus Rustius Verus, a local politician, tracks. The mosaic floor of 3 million tiles with no more decoration than a double black line around the perimeter tracks, too; probably rugs covered most of it. These are lavish trappings of a slave-keeping society. The slaves could be compelled to paint and lay mosaic tiles, but not to care. They were anyway able to ensure viewers would know. Moderns working in advertising will understand.
- hammock 2y ago>No one remarks how trite and formulaic the frescoes' compositions are When I saw the faces in the hero image this was my first reaction as well. Hummel figurines of ancient Rome
- 082349872349872 2y ago> "In the shimmering light, the paintings would have almost come to life," They must have been painted by the famous roman "pictor lucis": Uiliemus Thomas Quinquaed?
- skrbjc 2y agoSeems unlikely the slaves would be doing things like painting frescoes and laying mosaic floors. That would more likely be from skilled craftsmen. My impression was that the slaves were probably used to run the bakery.
- hammock 2y agoSt. Kinga Chapel in the Weilizcka salt mine, complete with relief carving of the Last Supper, salt crystal chandeliers, carved statues and altars was entirely made by trade miners, not skilled scuptors. If you spend enough time in a mine you can get good at that stuff https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine
- natroniks 2y agoWhen looking at frescoes I like to ask, why did the homeowner (r whomever made these decisions) choose these images/themes for this context? Not just the Trojan War generally, but these particular characters and relationship dynamics? Apollo and Cassandra; Paris and Helen; I think of them as 2 pairs of failed lovers. Failures not only because their romance didn't work out, but also because the fallout from their attempted relationship caused so much destruction. The Trojan Cycle is often thought of in terms of war, battles, death, destruction. But it really does involve a lot of romantic relationships (all of them doomed): Achilles and Patroclus, Achilles and Briseis, Helen and Paris, Apollo and Cassandra, Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, Menelaus and Helen... The thought provoking nature of frescoes in a dining room was intentional, as it's the type of source material that could be used to inspire conversation at a dinner party. Can't wait to learn more about this room
- angiosperm 2y agoThey were topics considered more appropriate for a social setting. That they were really about rape and kidnapping was probably not seen as notable; they are just familiar furnishings of a culture founded and maintained on armed compulsion. Nobody but the gods have any freedom, and the gods are bored children.
- zer00eyz 2y ago[flagged]
- 082349872349872 2y agoSeneca wrote about slavery (not totally on board) as did Aristotle (gung ho). I'm pretty sure your average literate roman would have been against his own slavery (being enslaved probably doesn't do wonders for one's auctoritas); the difference was that asymmetric relationships, "laws for thee, not for me", were a little more acceptable then than now.
- zer00eyz 2y ago
- jdlyga 2y agoPompeii is an amazing place to visit, and it was a much different place than I expected. It feels like you're in a city. There are roads, sidewalks, and even pedestrian crossings. There are shops with apartments on top, wine bars, everything. It's huge!
- dgfitz 2y agoI would highly recommend anyone who has the desire and financial means visit at least once. I was completely fascinated, could have spent days there instead of just one day.
- alpha_squared 2y agoI stayed there for a week and can confirm it was a great time. There are a surprising amount of activities and tourist destinations within reach without the busyness that you often find at touristy destinations.
- evereverever 2y agoAmazing! When will these be chipped away and taken to Naples to their museum? I feel that's the greatest tragedy of Pompeii is having to visit Naples and see that whole walls and most artifacts are just kept there.
- asveikau 2y agoI did the other direction, wanted to go to Naples, visited Pompeii because it's nearby. There's nothing wrong with Naples.
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- drawkward 2y agoFor all those who intend to visit Pompeii: Rick Steves has a free narrated (in English) tour in one of his apps. Really worth it.
- lapetitejort 2y agoEvery few decades we should choose a random block anywhere in the world, pay all of the inhabitants a very fair compensation for them to leave all of their worldly possessions exactly as they lie, board up the entire block, then dump a preserving material onto the block. Millenia from now it can be excavated by the world for a snapshot into that time and place.
- jart 2y agoIt works better if the people are preserved too, just like Pompeii; otherwise it's just a dollhouse. You should shelf your proposal until we have the technology for cloning and resurrection.
- astrodust 2y agoOnce in a while people inadvertently create these pristine time capsules: http://www.astoriedstyle.com/a-look-into-the-past-an-untouched-1942-paris-apartment/ http://www.astoriedstyle.com/a-look-into-the-past-an-untouch...