A Preface to Paris: New Clues to the Roman Legacy
The New York Times
By ALAN RIDING
Published: April 30, 2006
PARIS, April 29 — When the French look back today, they generally trace the stirrings of national glory to François I in the mid-16th century or perhaps to Louis XIV 150 years later. And when Parisians look around, they see mainly the city reshaped into broad avenues by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann in the 19th century.
On the Left Bank, scholars are studying a Roman road and ruins. This week, they were reminded of a far earlier Paris, one that was still called Lutetia. On a Left Bank hillside, which carries the name of Sainte-Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, French archaeologists have found remnants of a road and several houses dating back some 2,000 years to when Rome ruled Gaul.
In one sense, it was not a surprise. Other Roman vestiges have been uncovered, notably those of a theater that could seat 15,000 and Roman thermal baths found beneath the 15th-century Abbey of Cluny. Yet the area of the new find, half a mile to the south, was so heavily built up in the early 20th century that it is hard to imagine space for excavation.
In this case, however, the Pierre and Marie Curie University decided to replace a temporary structure with a research building. And, by law, construction in central Paris cannot begin until archaeologists have had a chance to investigate. They started digging in early March and almost immediately made one of their best finds in recent years.
As it happens, the Convent of the Visitation covered the 4,400-square-foot plot from the early 17th century until 1910, when it was demolished. One long-buried wall of the convent has been uncovered. Further, the site is crossed by a large drainage pipe, confirmation that interest in preserving ancient ruins is fairly new.
However, now quite visible is a 20-foot-wide road, as well as the walls and floors of at least three houses. In one house, archaeologists have been able to identify an under-the-floor thermal heating system. And across the site, coins and ceramic shards have been found. Further, this area was inhabited long enough for stone walls to replace earlier adobelike clay-and-wood building material.
The significance of such finds, of course, is what they reveal about earlier times. It is known that early settlers around the Île de la Cité burned their houses before they were conquered by a Roman legion under Labienus in 52 B.C. But in the decades that followed, a new town was built on the Left Bank, which eventually had a population of 12,000 to 20,000.
Then, after the first barbarian incursions in A.D. 253, the population apparently withdrew from the hill of Sainte-Geneviève and sought refuge behind new walls on the Île de la Cité, which was called Paris, borrowing the name of the ancient Gallic Parisii tribe. Thus, because the archaeologists have found no traces of occupation of the site between the 4th and 17th centuries, they have been able to confirm that even an area little more than a mile from the Seine was long considered insecure for habitation.
"It was a neighborhood of the Augustan period," explained Didier Busson, the architect in charge of the dig. "It may have been founded by Gauls who had been in the Roman army and settled here, bringing with them their experience of building."
Today, the Rue Saint-Jacques follows the path of the Cardo Maximus, the north-south road that crossed the district. Still, for all the attention stirred by this find, archaeologists have only until late June to complete their studies because, after that, construction will begin on the site. But Mr. Busson is nonetheless satisfied with what has been achieved.
"Thirty years ago, this site would have been destroyed even before we had a chance to excavate it," he said. "Maybe in 20 years it will be possible to preserve things as we find them."
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Treasure myth inspires Cypriots to dig into past
TSERI, Cyprus (Reuters) - Residents of a Cypriot village, intrigued for decades by a tale of buried treasure and an underground flight of steps leading nowhere, have decided to get to the bottom of the mystery.
More than half a century after British colonial rulers forced them to abandon their last attempt to explore the site, residents of Tseri village in central Cyprus have begun excavating the 1,500-year-old tunnel and stairway.
Antiquities officials say the stone structure is part of an ancient irrigation network.
Residents romanticize, half jokingly, that it may lead to "Aphrodite's Golden Carriage" -- a euphemism for a hidden treasure dating from Roman times, between 58 BC and AD 330.
They speak of a little-known legend that the rulers of Cyprus would move treasures to the center of the island and hide them from raiders who plundered the coast in ancient times.
"It is a myth. We don't know if it is true. A myth is a myth. But without knowing, you cannot totally rule something out either," said Alkis Constantinou, community leader of Tseri, a community of 6,000 people 9.3 miles from the capital, Nicosia.
"It most likely leads to an underground reservoir, but it's unique for around here," said Constantinou as he stood above a gaping hole in the middle of an olive grove, exposing an arch of yellow sandstone, walls and a few steps.
The community intended to buy the field to pursue the explorations and ensure the site was properly preserved, he said.
HOARDS OF WEALTH
Tales of hoards of great wealth are heard in other communities across the guitar-shaped island, where the first signs of civilization date from 9,000 BC. It has been in thrall to a series of rulers from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra -- a gift from her lover Mark Antony -- and the Romans.
The most common myth is one of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite who, according to mythology, was born from the sea-foam in the west of the island.
more...
Link
More than half a century after British colonial rulers forced them to abandon their last attempt to explore the site, residents of Tseri village in central Cyprus have begun excavating the 1,500-year-old tunnel and stairway.
Antiquities officials say the stone structure is part of an ancient irrigation network.
Residents romanticize, half jokingly, that it may lead to "Aphrodite's Golden Carriage" -- a euphemism for a hidden treasure dating from Roman times, between 58 BC and AD 330.
They speak of a little-known legend that the rulers of Cyprus would move treasures to the center of the island and hide them from raiders who plundered the coast in ancient times.
"It is a myth. We don't know if it is true. A myth is a myth. But without knowing, you cannot totally rule something out either," said Alkis Constantinou, community leader of Tseri, a community of 6,000 people 9.3 miles from the capital, Nicosia.
"It most likely leads to an underground reservoir, but it's unique for around here," said Constantinou as he stood above a gaping hole in the middle of an olive grove, exposing an arch of yellow sandstone, walls and a few steps.
The community intended to buy the field to pursue the explorations and ensure the site was properly preserved, he said.
HOARDS OF WEALTH
Tales of hoards of great wealth are heard in other communities across the guitar-shaped island, where the first signs of civilization date from 9,000 BC. It has been in thrall to a series of rulers from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra -- a gift from her lover Mark Antony -- and the Romans.
The most common myth is one of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite who, according to mythology, was born from the sea-foam in the west of the island.
more...
Link
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Senatorial villa in Torvaianica
Ancient Villa Found in Torvaianica
You never know what will you will find when you start digging in the area around Rome. Walk down a street in Rome and you will find roped off areas containing a column dating from ancient Rome.
Workers digging a new sewage system near Rome found the remains of a villa dating to the second-century. The villa belonged to two senators, Titus Flavius Claudius and Titus Flavius Sallustius.
It is expected that the villa in Torvaianica will become a tourist attraction once excavation has been completed. "We're uncovering a vast complex, in which we've found all sorts of vessels and ceramics which have been taken away to be catalogued", Filippo Avilia, the archaeologist in charge of the dig, told the Italian news agency ANSA.
The villa believed to have been used by the senators in the summer had a gymnasium, swimming pools and hot and cold baths. The area of the villa covers about a hectare. Torvaianica is a coastal resort south of Rome. According to the ancient poet Virgil, Trojan hero Aeneas landed at the ancient settlement of Lavinium (near Torvaianica)after fleeing his city, which had been sacked by the Greeks. Legend says the descendants of Aeneas founded the city of Rome. An ancient monument to Aeneas is located near Lavinio, the modern town on the site of Lavinium.
Link
You never know what will you will find when you start digging in the area around Rome. Walk down a street in Rome and you will find roped off areas containing a column dating from ancient Rome.
Workers digging a new sewage system near Rome found the remains of a villa dating to the second-century. The villa belonged to two senators, Titus Flavius Claudius and Titus Flavius Sallustius.
It is expected that the villa in Torvaianica will become a tourist attraction once excavation has been completed. "We're uncovering a vast complex, in which we've found all sorts of vessels and ceramics which have been taken away to be catalogued", Filippo Avilia, the archaeologist in charge of the dig, told the Italian news agency ANSA.
The villa believed to have been used by the senators in the summer had a gymnasium, swimming pools and hot and cold baths. The area of the villa covers about a hectare. Torvaianica is a coastal resort south of Rome. According to the ancient poet Virgil, Trojan hero Aeneas landed at the ancient settlement of Lavinium (near Torvaianica)after fleeing his city, which had been sacked by the Greeks. Legend says the descendants of Aeneas founded the city of Rome. An ancient monument to Aeneas is located near Lavinio, the modern town on the site of Lavinium.
Link
UK export bar on disc
CULTURE MINISTER DEFERS EXPORT OF AN EXQUISITE ROMAN MILLEFIORI ENAMELLED DISC
Culture Minister, David Lammy, has placed a temporary export bar on a beautiful individually crafted Roman Millefiori enamelled disc. This will provide a last chance to raise the money to keep the disc in the United Kingdom.
The Minister's ruling follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, run by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The Committee recommended that the export decision be deferred on the grounds that the disk is of outstanding significance for the study of Roman millefiori and other enamel work.
The disc is one of just three known large decorative studs, all believed to be from Britain, which represent the finest workmanship in exquisite millefiori enamel inlay. It is thought that these may be fittings from high status horse gear and this disc could pay an important part in the study of such equipment. It is constructed with precision and elegance, retains intact almost all the minutely detailed inlay, and preserves the original colouring.
The decision on the export licence application for the disc will be deferred for a period ending on 19 June inclusive. This period may be extended until 19 August inclusive if a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase the disc at the recommended price of £2260 is expressed.
more...
Link
Culture Minister, David Lammy, has placed a temporary export bar on a beautiful individually crafted Roman Millefiori enamelled disc. This will provide a last chance to raise the money to keep the disc in the United Kingdom.
The Minister's ruling follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, run by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The Committee recommended that the export decision be deferred on the grounds that the disk is of outstanding significance for the study of Roman millefiori and other enamel work.
The disc is one of just three known large decorative studs, all believed to be from Britain, which represent the finest workmanship in exquisite millefiori enamel inlay. It is thought that these may be fittings from high status horse gear and this disc could pay an important part in the study of such equipment. It is constructed with precision and elegance, retains intact almost all the minutely detailed inlay, and preserves the original colouring.
The decision on the export licence application for the disc will be deferred for a period ending on 19 June inclusive. This period may be extended until 19 August inclusive if a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase the disc at the recommended price of £2260 is expressed.
more...
Link
Stolen head returns to Italy
Statue goin' back Rome
BY ALISON GENDARDAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A 1,000-year-old marble antiquity - stolen from a Roman villa where Benito Mussolini once lived - was returned to Italian officials yesterday.
The head of Dionysius, the Greek god of wine, went missing in 1983 from Villa Torlonia only to resurface in 2003 at a Christie's auction with a $25,000 price tag.
When Christie's got it, the auction house was suspicious about the piece and contacted the NYPD. Italian police and Interpol identified the curly haired head as a stolen antiquity.
After three years, the department's major case squad was able to trace the statue back to a defunct Japanese museum that acquired it sometime before 1990 - but nothing beyond that.
"We know from experience in these kinds of cases how difficult it is to trace them back," NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a ceremony at the Italian Consulate on Park Ave. "The trails get murky and the stolen pieces simply show up in shops and auctions."
Cops closed the case this year without arrests paving the way for the return since it was no longer needed as evidence.
Consul General Antonio Bandini said the recovery was part of a broader trend of museums, auction houses and private collectors being willing to return works of art, and artifacts found to be stolen.
In a recent case, the Metropolitan Museum of Art agreed to return 21 looted items back to Italy.
"We're encouraged by the progress we have seen," Bandini said. "We have detected an amount of cooperation that simply had not been there even a few years or even a few months ago."
Dionysius' head, severed from the body of the statute, will be returned to the Villa Torlonia for display. The villa, a series of early 1800s buildings that Mussolini used as a presidential palace in the late 1920s, has been restored and only last week opened to the public.
"I think the mayor of Rome will be pleased to know that while he was restoring the villa, work was being done here to return something that had once been there," Bandini said.
Link
BY ALISON GENDARDAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A 1,000-year-old marble antiquity - stolen from a Roman villa where Benito Mussolini once lived - was returned to Italian officials yesterday.
The head of Dionysius, the Greek god of wine, went missing in 1983 from Villa Torlonia only to resurface in 2003 at a Christie's auction with a $25,000 price tag.
When Christie's got it, the auction house was suspicious about the piece and contacted the NYPD. Italian police and Interpol identified the curly haired head as a stolen antiquity.
After three years, the department's major case squad was able to trace the statue back to a defunct Japanese museum that acquired it sometime before 1990 - but nothing beyond that.
"We know from experience in these kinds of cases how difficult it is to trace them back," NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a ceremony at the Italian Consulate on Park Ave. "The trails get murky and the stolen pieces simply show up in shops and auctions."
Cops closed the case this year without arrests paving the way for the return since it was no longer needed as evidence.
Consul General Antonio Bandini said the recovery was part of a broader trend of museums, auction houses and private collectors being willing to return works of art, and artifacts found to be stolen.
In a recent case, the Metropolitan Museum of Art agreed to return 21 looted items back to Italy.
"We're encouraged by the progress we have seen," Bandini said. "We have detected an amount of cooperation that simply had not been there even a few years or even a few months ago."
Dionysius' head, severed from the body of the statute, will be returned to the Villa Torlonia for display. The villa, a series of early 1800s buildings that Mussolini used as a presidential palace in the late 1920s, has been restored and only last week opened to the public.
"I think the mayor of Rome will be pleased to know that while he was restoring the villa, work was being done here to return something that had once been there," Bandini said.
Link
Ara Pacis museum opens in Rome
Modern building rises in heart of ancient Rome
ROME (Reuters) - After years of controversy, Rome on Friday unveiled the first modern building to rise in its ancient centre since dictator Benito Mussolini ruled Italy more than half a century ago.
Renowned U.S. architect Richard Meier was on hand for the inauguration of the Ara Pacis museum, a steel, glass and marble structure that has fired Roman passions with one critic comparing it to a giant petrol station.
"We've made something that is worthwhile," Meier responded to his critics at the gala opening. "To see it filled with people today is a great joy. Rome is a city where people walk and now this will be part of the itinerary," he told Reuters.
Meier's building -- the first to be erected in Rome since the 1930s -- was built to house the Ara Pacis, a 2,000-year-old altar commissioned by Roman Emperor Augustus to commemorate the pacification of what is today France and Spain.
more...
Link
ROME (Reuters) - After years of controversy, Rome on Friday unveiled the first modern building to rise in its ancient centre since dictator Benito Mussolini ruled Italy more than half a century ago.
Renowned U.S. architect Richard Meier was on hand for the inauguration of the Ara Pacis museum, a steel, glass and marble structure that has fired Roman passions with one critic comparing it to a giant petrol station.
"We've made something that is worthwhile," Meier responded to his critics at the gala opening. "To see it filled with people today is a great joy. Rome is a city where people walk and now this will be part of the itinerary," he told Reuters.
Meier's building -- the first to be erected in Rome since the 1930s -- was built to house the Ara Pacis, a 2,000-year-old altar commissioned by Roman Emperor Augustus to commemorate the pacification of what is today France and Spain.
more...
Link
Bust in Houston
Visiting or living in Houston and bust for something Roman to do? Look no further...
Busting out
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston,
puts a fresh face on ancient Rome
By BILL DAVENPORT
For the Chronicle
Nothing ought to be stuffier than a show tracing the stylistic development of ancient marble busts, but there's nothing stuffy about it when you're making your historical point using work of extraordinary quality. Great art can transcend scholarship, and despite its pedestrian educational theme, Reading the Roman Portrait Bust at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is transcendent.
Eleven busts perch atop three rows of pedestals at natural head height, giving the disconcerting impression that you're standing in a crowd of people. Entering the gallery is like confronting a class of adult-ed students on the first day. You're greeted by a bunch of weird characters with frozen expressions.
The minimal installation and odd pearlescent blue walls give the show a clean modernity that invites comparisons with contemporary art. Reading the Roman Portrait Bust is energized by the viewer's personal relationship with the figures on display — much like ultracurrent works by Vanessa Beecroft, an Italian artist living in New York who makes pieces using living models as gallery props, or Duane Hanson, an American who sculpts ultralifelike mannequins.
more...
Link
Busting out
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston,
puts a fresh face on ancient Rome
By BILL DAVENPORT
For the Chronicle
Nothing ought to be stuffier than a show tracing the stylistic development of ancient marble busts, but there's nothing stuffy about it when you're making your historical point using work of extraordinary quality. Great art can transcend scholarship, and despite its pedestrian educational theme, Reading the Roman Portrait Bust at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is transcendent.
Eleven busts perch atop three rows of pedestals at natural head height, giving the disconcerting impression that you're standing in a crowd of people. Entering the gallery is like confronting a class of adult-ed students on the first day. You're greeted by a bunch of weird characters with frozen expressions.
The minimal installation and odd pearlescent blue walls give the show a clean modernity that invites comparisons with contemporary art. Reading the Roman Portrait Bust is energized by the viewer's personal relationship with the figures on display — much like ultracurrent works by Vanessa Beecroft, an Italian artist living in New York who makes pieces using living models as gallery props, or Duane Hanson, an American who sculpts ultralifelike mannequins.
more...
Link
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Vox Romana - inaugural Roman podcast
The first Roman podcast aired yesterday, most auspiciously on the date of the foundation of the city of Rome. Topics such as news and conversational latin were presented in a very smooth and polished presentation.
Link
Link
Thursday, April 20, 2006
5th Nova Roman Conventus
The fifth annual Conventus Novae Romae in Europa will be held at Hadrian's Wall in provincia Britannia between a. d. III Non. Sex. (Thursday the 3rd of August) and a. d. V Id. Sex. (Wednesday the 9th of August) this year.
This looks like it will be a great event, certainly very resonably priced and already packed with visits, meals, games, and apparently even chariot racing!
This looks like it will be a great event, certainly very resonably priced and already packed with visits, meals, games, and apparently even chariot racing!
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