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Articles

The Roman state existed in practice for XIII centuries, being the power which was impacting the history. Therefore, I decided that I would tell the history of ancient Rome in the articles below, which will not necessarily cover only the Eternal City.

I encourage you to send articles and point out any corrections or inaccuracies.

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” – Antikythera mechanism and Polybius square

From June 30, in cinemas, you can see the latest part about one of the most popular film archaeologists – Indiana Jones – in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”. Interestingly, for the first time in this Hollywood historical production, the subject of ancient Rome was touched upon, which is of particular interest to me. Therefore, this article will be devoted to the comparison of the interpretation created for the film by the screenwriters, the history of the Antikythera Mechanism, with what we can find in historical sources or the latest archaeological research.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Emperor who was chosen by gods

During the Second Punic War, a new kind of religious belief began to develop among the Romans. One of the types of these beliefs became the cult of living heroes, which were undoubtedly the great Roman commanders. This type of belief was different from the cult of legendary ancestors such as Aeneas or Romulus.

Scipio Africanus the Elder

Genesis of development of Eastern cults in times of Roman Empire

Starting from the 2nd century CE Imperium Romanum began a process of intense religious changes. Oriental religions, such as Mithraism began to play an increasingly important role in the Roman state. One of the reasons for the development of these cults was the serious crises that the empire experienced in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. Events such as the civil war of 193-197, or the difficult internal situation during the so-called crisis of the 3rd century, favoured the emergence of religious phenomena, the roots of which dated back to earlier epochs.

Relief depicting Mithra

Zeno and decision of millennium

When delegations from Western Europe arrived in Constantinople in 476, Emperor Zeno was fresh from the civil war that had left him in power for more than a year. The deputies represented two conflicting sides, one demanded the support of Julius Nepos, the overthrown emperor of the west, and the other asked for recognition of Odoacer’s power and granting him the title of patrician. Solomon’s decision of Zeno determined the fate of Europe, so it is worth looking at the geopolitical and dynastic conditions that the emperor had to consider.

Emperor Zeno

Treasure of the Roman Gardens of Sallust – “The Dying Daughter of Niobe”

In this magnificent statue, which we can admire in the Roman museum in Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme, the sculptor masterfully captured both the drama of the moment and the movement of the dying woman. However, in order to fully appreciate this work, one must remember the context in which it was created. The myth of Nioba and her children was a very popular motif in ancient art.

Photo of Niobe's dying daughter from the Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme museum in Rome

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