I saw these incredible statues on an excursion from nearby Sicily. They stood alone in a stark room against a white wall. They didn't seem like statues at all but humans frozen in time. Immobilized but full of contained energy. Masculine but not brutish. Fantastic.
Our current system doesn't have a problem with force. It loves to crush those who oppose it. Rather it has a problem with individual strength and the bronzes look they'd put up a good resistance to being crushed.
There does seem something alien in their expressions but what that might be, and whether that was intentional on the sculptor's part, I can't tell.
This essay is highly creative and provocative. I studied The Classics in college ages ago in the 1970's and haven't read essays as provocative as this since, perhaps, Plutarch's Parallel Lives (Βίοι Παράλληλοι) planted so many seeds in my head. I'd be interested to know of the author's background. It must be as a scholar of the Classics. I regret that I left the world of scholarly pursuit to chase money in law and business. Thanks for submitting this post and please add more!
I think you are off on your armor weights. You wrote:
"The thorax, for those who had the means, would be made from bronze, weighing between 30 and 40 pounds, exactly fitted to the torso of each wearer for comfort and protection."
The ENTIRE panoply (all the pieces of arms and armor together) was in the 30-40 pound range, with the large shield coming in at 16-19 pounds. This isn't mere pedantry; the weight of armor is crucial to the endurance of the fighting man wearing it.
It is an excellent essay, otherwise, and you make valid points: these were paragons, standards to aspire toward, for ancient Hellenes. They are as valid today as aspirational goals for fighting men as they were the day they were cast. And modern interpretations need to fuck off; these men are only to be judged by the standards of those who fashioned them. Modern political nonsense does not apply, cannot apply.
There isn't a comprehensive response anywhere, unless an anon writes it. The research is very interesting actually. It's a shame that it has be wielded like a moral bludgeon.
Thank you for reading friend. The statues are worth consideration from many different angles. May not be to everyone's taste to meander, but object is to spark thoughts, not to simply inform. Please be well.
First time here, don't know of Paulos, who must be some very high student of Classical Hisory or Prof, reading article, issue after issue, many points, that fit, 1 2 3, not only are there whole books on one point/issue but whole sections in big University libraries, too much to study.
There are a lot of books on the various periods of Classial Art, HELLENISTIC PERIOD stands out, these Bronzes predate that, shows we still have a lot to learn and discover. Lots online too.
I saw these incredible statues on an excursion from nearby Sicily. They stood alone in a stark room against a white wall. They didn't seem like statues at all but humans frozen in time. Immobilized but full of contained energy. Masculine but not brutish. Fantastic.
I have never seen them in person. You are fortunate! One day I will.
Not to rush you, but I look forward to the next post
Our current system doesn't have a problem with force. It loves to crush those who oppose it. Rather it has a problem with individual strength and the bronzes look they'd put up a good resistance to being crushed.
There does seem something alien in their expressions but what that might be, and whether that was intentional on the sculptor's part, I can't tell.
This essay is highly creative and provocative. I studied The Classics in college ages ago in the 1970's and haven't read essays as provocative as this since, perhaps, Plutarch's Parallel Lives (Βίοι Παράλληλοι) planted so many seeds in my head. I'd be interested to know of the author's background. It must be as a scholar of the Classics. I regret that I left the world of scholarly pursuit to chase money in law and business. Thanks for submitting this post and please add more!
Ditto, me too, I made it a point long ago to avoid fiction, read the Classics, etc
Spent some time in the library at UofT, huge sections, now I have my own library going,
your pick is the key work, Plutarch's Parallel Lives, if there is only one to read that is it.
John Adams writes a letter to his son, if you only read one book, that's it.
The article covers a lot of ground and is very good involving ancient/modern issues,
high student of Classical History here, credit REVOLVER for link.
All Classial History Profs will cover why it matters, why do we study the Greeks
or any history for that matter.
ARETE is a key concept, be the best you can be, lead, etc,
The Ancient Greeks were highly competitive, you name it, war, trade, art, drama, temple building, ...
The Bronzes no doubt were meant to awe and inspire, they were meant as SUPERHUMAN,
like modern body builders, very few if anyone looked like that, everything about them pops out,
it is overdone.
This piece is full of original and stirring ideas well expressed
A powerful post. I look forward to hearing more!
Excellent work. Thanks for writing it!
Love this article, compelling, inspiring and motivating. . .
Many years from now, somebody will dig up a bronze statue of a 350 pound American consumer from 2022, in what was once a Chuckee Cheese parking lot.
No. They will recover the footprints we left on the moon.
The Myth of Progress is one of the greatest scams of all time. Morons love it, of course.
I think you are off on your armor weights. You wrote:
"The thorax, for those who had the means, would be made from bronze, weighing between 30 and 40 pounds, exactly fitted to the torso of each wearer for comfort and protection."
The ENTIRE panoply (all the pieces of arms and armor together) was in the 30-40 pound range, with the large shield coming in at 16-19 pounds. This isn't mere pedantry; the weight of armor is crucial to the endurance of the fighting man wearing it.
It is an excellent essay, otherwise, and you make valid points: these were paragons, standards to aspire toward, for ancient Hellenes. They are as valid today as aspirational goals for fighting men as they were the day they were cast. And modern interpretations need to fuck off; these men are only to be judged by the standards of those who fashioned them. Modern political nonsense does not apply, cannot apply.
Very interesting, do you know of any long reply to the polychromatism propaganda?
There isn't a comprehensive response anywhere, unless an anon writes it. The research is very interesting actually. It's a shame that it has be wielded like a moral bludgeon.
great job here too. just a note: is this a typo? "Were they frens?"
This is stylistic. It's internet slang.
Who is Elizabeth Frink? Moreover, why does she matter in the face of great art?
I have an interest in know more about these sculptures but holy shite, there are so many unnecessary words and thoughts in this article.
Thank you for reading friend. The statues are worth consideration from many different angles. May not be to everyone's taste to meander, but object is to spark thoughts, not to simply inform. Please be well.
Not a single word was wasted. Having edited, and been edited, I wouldn't change a thing. Best post of 2021.
Yes I have read at least thrice--a remarkable piece of work.
First time here, don't know of Paulos, who must be some very high student of Classical Hisory or Prof, reading article, issue after issue, many points, that fit, 1 2 3, not only are there whole books on one point/issue but whole sections in big University libraries, too much to study.
There are a lot of books on the various periods of Classial Art, HELLENISTIC PERIOD stands out, these Bronzes predate that, shows we still have a lot to learn and discover. Lots online too.