Lordy, we've seen a lot, and we're moving through a period of history that has never held that much sway with me, Greco-Roman. Marc is enthralled with this era, and has passed on this love to both our children.
As we began seriously planning this portion of our journey back in 2014, Marc had given us the task of each creating our top 10 travel lists in preparation for our New Year's dinner together. Marc often sets these tasks for us on these days that call for marking. And while I initially protest at the heart-digging required, I do love the exercise when it's happening, and particularly the results, such as this trip.
So back to the travel list. Many of our destinations intersect, and we could draw a route from just about half of the combined 20 listed over a year ago. Greco-roman was not on my list at all, but olive farms and January warmth was. Such is the glory of marriage compromising - I get my Italian port city and warm farm on Crete (the southern-most point in the EU), and Marc gets his Greco-roman history and artefacts through Naples, Heraklion, Crete and Athens next.
So, this day in Naples is the Archeological Museum, heralded as the preeminent collection of antiquities in the world, as well as the Farnese collection, one of the most influential collections of marble statuary in the world, including the Farnese Marbles.
The only other place you can see a part of this collection is in the British Museum in London. But I can't do it. We've talked a lot about these times, neither of us will ever be afraid to say "No" on this trip. It's not an endurance test, it's a joyful, blessed time to be travelling our top destinations together. Marc packs up his bag and off he goes. One of the rare days we 've spent apart in the last 2.5 months.
So, while I can't really speak to the story behind these artefacts, I can provide you with a glimpse:
Above and below, Hercules At Rest, 2nd-3rd century
So back to the travel list. Many of our destinations intersect, and we could draw a route from just about half of the combined 20 listed over a year ago. Greco-roman was not on my list at all, but olive farms and January warmth was. Such is the glory of marriage compromising - I get my Italian port city and warm farm on Crete (the southern-most point in the EU), and Marc gets his Greco-roman history and artefacts through Naples, Heraklion, Crete and Athens next.
So, this day in Naples is the Archeological Museum, heralded as the preeminent collection of antiquities in the world, as well as the Farnese collection, one of the most influential collections of marble statuary in the world, including the Farnese Marbles.
The only other place you can see a part of this collection is in the British Museum in London. But I can't do it. We've talked a lot about these times, neither of us will ever be afraid to say "No" on this trip. It's not an endurance test, it's a joyful, blessed time to be travelling our top destinations together. Marc packs up his bag and off he goes. One of the rare days we 've spent apart in the last 2.5 months.
So, while I can't really speak to the story behind these artefacts, I can provide you with a glimpse:
Athena
Left, Fernando Bobonino and right, Tormenting the Farnese Bull, 3rd century.
The Farnese Bull, sacred, was found in excavations during the mid1500s in an area known as The Baths of Caracella. The area was then ruled by Pope Paul III. He had these statues moved to the Piazza where they stood for more than 2 centuries and Michelangelo even considered restoration work on them. The Torment on the right has been described as a massive wall of marble, with this one sculpture coming out of this one slab.
Erotica was huge! Apparently, lounging around and dining naked was a thing! Pan, bottom photo.
"Artefacts"
Clockwise: Boy, Atlas, Drunken Satyr and Homer,
Unrolled Papyrus discovered at Herculaneum, also buried under Vesuvius lava.
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