This is the first comparative study of Roman architecture on the Iberian peninsula, covering six centuries from the arrival of the Romans in the third century B.C. until the decline of urban life on the peninsula in the third century A.D. During this period, the peninsula became an influential cultural and political region in the Roman world. Iberia supplied writers, politicians, and emperors, a fact acknowledged by Romanists for centuries, though study of the peninsula itself has too often been brushed aside as insignificant and uninteresting. In this book William E. Mierse challenges such a view. By examining in depth the changing forms of temples and their placement within the urban fabric, Mierse shows that architecture on the peninsula displays great variation and unexpected connections. It was never a slavish imitation of an imported model but always a novel experiment. Sometimes the architectural forms are both new and unexpected; in some cases specific prototypes can be seen, but the Iberian form has been significantly altered to suit local needs. What at first may seem a repetition of forms upon closer investigation turns out to be theme and variation. Mierse brings to his quest an impressive learning, including knowledge of several modern and ancient languages and the archaeology of the Roman East, which allows him a unique perspective on the interaction between events and architecture.
The studies included in this volume supplement the work already published by the author on the imperial cult in the Roman West, focussing on the monuments of two cities in Roman Spain, Augusta Emerita (now M da) and Tarraco (now Tarragona). The introduction gives the general background and context of the four following studies and argues in favour of proactive initiative from the centre.The core of the book is a study of the provincial forum at Augusta Emerita. It opens with a historiographic survey followed by discussion of the plaza (location, portico, "Arco de Trajano"), then surveys other structures and their general architectonic significance. Discussion of the hexastyle temple at the centre of the precinct considers its date of construction and the influence of the provincial governor, L. Fulcinius Trio, in copying the Aedes Concordiae at Rome. Two long sections assigned to analysis of inscriptions and the significance of the provincial centre of Lusitania complete the study.Discussion of the "Temple of Augustus" in Tarragona, in Chapter 3, begins with a historiography of the temple followed by an account of its discovery by ground-probing radar and electric resistivity tomography. After arguing that the temple was provincial ab initio - rather than first municipal then provincial - discussion moves to present opinion on the successive stages of the construction and design of the temple with a final chapter on the significance of the Temple of Hispania Citerior.Two final studies consider the numismatic evidence for an Ara Providentiae at Augusta Emerita, its counterpart in Rome, and the inferred presence of a templum minus at Augusta Emerita with its enigmatic portrayal of Agrippa at sacrifice fifty years after his death. As for the location of this copy of a Roman prototype, analysis focuses on the evidence for a supposed temple in the forum adiectum of the colonial forum and considers the iconographic recomposition of
Shows the intimate relationship between Egypt and Hispania archaeologically, historically, culturally, ethnologically, linguistically, etc. This book reveals the Ancient Egyptian roots of the Romany (Gypsies) and how they brought about the civilization and orientalization of Hispania, over the past 6,000 years. The book also shows the intimate relationship between Egypt and Hispania archaeologically, historically, culturally, ethnologically, linguistically, etc., as a result of the immigration of the Egyptian Romany (Gypsies) to Iberia. This Expanded Version of the book consists of 14 chapters: Chapter one, The Romany (Gypsy) Essence of Hispania, sorts through the subject of the Gypsies and differentiates the Egyptian Romany from non-Egyptian nomadic groups. It highlights their Egyptian characteristics and their different related groups. Chapter two, Our Heavenly Mother, shows how Ancient Egypt and Iberia share the intense love for the Virgin Mother (known in Ancient Egypt as Isis and in Christianity as Mary/Maria). A shortened version of the story of Isis and Osiris is presented, so as to draw parallels between the Ancient Egyptian Isis and the Virgin Mary. The role of Mary/Auset formed the basis for the matrilineal/matriarchal societal framework. This chapter also shows the role of the bull in Ancient Egypt and Iberia, and that the practices of bullfights and running of the bulls in Iberia can only be found in Ancient Egypt, since at least 5,000 years ago. Chapter three, Out of Egypt, gives an overview of the major pitfalls in the common theories about the history of Iberia. It highlights the false chronology and dating in most references. It also highlights the incredible silence in most references about the role of the most populous, wealthiest, and prominent civilization in the ancient world—namely Egypt. It provides the accounts of early Egyptian immigration to other countries, and accounts of some of their early settlements in Asia and Europe. It also provides the general consensus on the population characteristics in Iberia and how the Ancient Egyptians (of all nations in the world) match these characteristics exactly. Chapter four, The Egyptian-Hispanic Alloys, describes the Ancient Egyptian knowledge of metallurgy, and their ability to make numerous metallic alloys. It will show how Ancient Egypt lacked certain minerals to make specific alloys (such as electrum, copper, and bronze), the high demand for metals in Egypt, and how the fluctuation in the production of such goods in Ancient Egypt correlated to the rise and fall of mining activities in Iberia. It also shows the Ancient Egyptian history of organization and management of large mining sites, settlement fortifications, etc. Chapter five, In the Beginning—Almeria, highlights the archaeological findings at the early settlements in several Iberian regions—beginning at Almeria, and correlates these activities in Iberia with Ancient Egypt—to show unique similarities and affinities between Ancient Egypt (in pre- and early dynastic times) and Iberia, in all aspects of religion, architecture, farming, metalworking, etc. Chapter six, Masters of the Seas, shows the supremacy of the Ancient Egypt ships, their sizes, types, and functions. It provides an overview of the Egyptian goods that were sought worldwide. It identifies the patrons (deities) of travel and how they were adopted 100% by others, such as the Phoenicians. Chapter seven, Merchants of the Seas, evaluates the common theory about the role of the Phoenicians/Punics in the history of Iberia, by describing the archaeological and historical evidence in the Phoenicians’ homeland. The evidence is overwhelming that Phoenicia was a vassal of Ancient Egypt and that the Phoenicians copied all aspects of the Ancient Egyptian culture. It shows that Phoenicians were experienced seafarers and traders and nothing else. The Phoenicians did not have the number of people (or the talent) for the farming, art, industry, and building skills necessary to establish new settlements in Iberia or elsewhere. Chapter eight, Canopus and Cádiz: A Tale of Two Harbors, provides a clear history of Cádiz and its role as the western gateway to western Iberia, northern Europe, and the African continent. It shows that the reported fishing and salting techniques as well as its famed dancers were duplicates of the same in Ancient Egypt. It highlights the significance of the Canopus harbors (Alexandria before Alexander), as the center of commerce in the whole world, for thousands of years. It describes the role of the (Egyptian) Hercules/Herakles at Egyptian harbors and how other countries imitated Egypt in this regard. It shows the similarities between the Cádiz harbor with its temples and the harbor at Canopus with its temples. Chapter nine, The Assyrian Devastation and Aftershocks, correlates the rise of power of the Assyrians (and later the Persians), to the waves of mass migration from Ancient Egypt, which coincided with the increase in population and the number of settlements in Iberia. Chapter ten, Romanticizing the Romans, addresses the lack of merit of Romans’ influence in Iberia—in all aspects of Iberian life, such as culture, government, religion, language, society, buildings, etc. Chapter eleven, The Moors and the Egyptians, addresses the falsehoods of credits given to the Moors/Moslems/Arabs. It identifies the true origin of these invaders and how they were removed from the civilized aspects in Iberia, such as farming, housing, gardens, arts, crafts, etc., and how all these aspects and activities were only found in Egypt, before they appeared in Iberia. It also shows the huge number of Egyptian settlers in the areas that are the best farmed in Iberia, such as Algarve and Murcia. Chapter twelve, The Origin of the Hispanic Languages/Dialects, defines the role of the Ancient Egypt language as the mother of all Semitic languages, as well as all other languages/dialects in the Mediterranean Basin and beyond. Chapter thirteen, The Animated Religious Traditions, shows how the people of both Egypt and the Iberian Peninsula share the same concept of Animism, the power of saints, religious pilgrimages, festivals, etc. It also describes the role of Ancient Egypt in Priscillianism, which was (and continues to be) widespread. It also relates the fate of Priscillian to the pilgrimage and traditions at Santiago de Compostela. It shows that the history and practices of confraternities in Catholic-ruled Iberia (and southern Italy) coincide exactly with “Sufi” Orders in Islamized countries, and that the fundamentals and practices of these mystical groups under Islamic and Christian rules are of Ancient Egyptian origin. Chapter fourteen, The Egyptian-Hispanic Musical Heritage, shows the intimacy between the Egyptians and Iberian heritage as it relates to music, poetry, song, and dance. It shows that the Ancient Egyptians—not the Moors—are the source of music, singing, dancing, and poetry in the Iberian Peninsula. It highlights the role of the (Egyptian) Romany as the performers of these activities in the Iberian Peninsula. It describes the major celebratory musical activities in both Egypt and the Iberian Peninsula.
In the closing years of the second century B.C., the ancient world watched as the Roman armies maintained clear superiority over all they surveyed. But, social turmoil prevailed at the heart of her territories, led by an increasing number of dispossessed farmers, too little manpower for the army, and an inevitable conflict with the allies who had fought side by side with the Romans to establish Roman dominion. Storming the Heavens looks at this dramatic history from a variety of angles. What changed most radically, Santosuosso argues, was the behavior of soldiers in the Roman armies. The troops became the enemies within, their pillage and slaughter of fellow citizens indiscriminate, their loyalty not to the Republic but to their leaders, as long as they were ample providers of booty. By opening the military ranks to all, the new army abandoned its role as depository of the values of the upper classes and the propertied. Instead, it became an institution of the poor and drain on the power of the Empire. Santosuosso also investigates other topics, such as the monopoly of military power in the hands of a few, the connection between the armed forces and the cherished values of the state, the manipulation of the lower classes so that they would accept the view of life, control, and power dictated by the oligarchy, and the subjugation and dehumanization of subject peoples, whether they be Gauls, Britons, Germans, Africans, or even the Romans themselves.
Roman Architecture casts new light not only on many familiar monuments of the city of Rome, but also on less well-known examples from across the Roman empire. Rome and its empire were fundamental to the development of western architecture, and its forms and motifs remain significant elements of our own built environments. Roman Architecture places the varied architecture of ancient Rome, from its humble apartment blocks to its grand public structures, within the broader context of Roman society. It takes as its starting point the writings of the Roman architect Vitruvius, as one voice in a broader contemporary debate about the nature and value of architecture. What did the Romans themselves think architecture was for? What was built, by whom and why? How was architecture represented in text and image? The interplay of type and variation that are the hallmark Roman architecture are here traced back to the human actions and choices from which they originated. Janet DeLaine explores how the desires of patrons for novelty and individuality were met by architects and builders working within the practical constraints of available materials and the moral prescriptions of religious and social norms to create new forms. Ranging from early Rome to the late empire, this volume casts new light on many familiar monuments of the city of Rome, but also on less well-known examples from across the empire. Through an examination of the key types of buildings at the heart of Roman society and their decoration, it reveals the symbolic meaning of architecture in terms of competitive power displays and commemoration, and it explores how architecture helped to define being 'Roman' at different times and in different places of the empire.
By working through these cases and the accompanying learning exercises, both pre-service and practicing school librarians will strengthen their readiness, expand their perspectives, and build confidence for solving problems and making informed, thoughtful decisions in their school libraries. In their preparation for school librarianship, library students learn foundational ideals and observe best practices that center and guide their work. However, discussions of aspirational versions of school librarianship often leave out sufficient practice in managing the many challenges and decisions school librarians face on the job. In this book, veteran educator Rebecca J. Morris uses stories of day-to-day librarianship to empower school librarians as they navigate and manage the complex interactions, decisions, and opportunities of their work. The book's alignment with the AASL/CAEP standards makes it helpful to school library educators planning curriculum, syllabi, and course activities. Perfect for reading or study groups, graduate classes, and professional development, these stories invite reflection and lively conversation.
The Impact of Mobility and Migration in the Roman Empire assembles a series of papers on key themes of Roman mobility and migration, discussing i.a. the mobility of the army, of the elite, of women, and war-induced mobility and deportations.
Paul's view of the church as the temple and his concern about its purity in 1-2 Corinthians has traditionally been interpreted from the perspective of a Jewish background. However, Yulin Liu reveals that the pagans were very aware of temple purity when visiting some temples in the Greco-Roman world, and the purification concerns of three pagan temples in Corinth are documented in his work. The author affirms that the Gentile believers among the Corinthian community were able to grasp Paul's message because of it. Also, Liu investigates Paul's use of temple purity to address the necessity of unity, holiness and faithfulness of the Corinthian Christians in an eschatological sense. The separation of God's people from profane matters actually points to a new exodus and a progressive consummation of the construction of the eschatological temple-community.
