I have a research project. I came across this blog post yesterday, which talks about the "sphere of Helios". It's currently in the Acropolis Museum. I had never heard of it, which is not odd, considering the many things there are to hear about. How about you guys?
"The celestial symbols covering this odd orb bewitch the imagination. And according to some, that’s exactly the point, as it’s thought the ancient Greeks may have used the sphere in magic rituals.
The large marble sphere was found in 1866 at the Theater of Dionysus, which stands at the foot of the famed Acropolis. It’s believed the curious orb was created sometime between the second and third centuries CE.
Not much is known about the strange sphere. Because it was found buried near the Theater of Dionysus—a place where duels and other sporting events were held—it’s said the ball may have been used in magic rituals by those hoping to win.
The carvings adorning the sphere are mysterious and mystical. Most agree the human figure is a depiction of Helios, the god of the Sun. He sits atop a grand throne, clutching a whip in one hand and three lit torches in the other. A great beast rests at his feet, which is said to be either a lion or a dog and is thought to represent a constellation.
Other animal and celestial symbols cover the rest of the sphere. Scan the globe, and you’ll come across a whole medley of magical, alchemistic, and astral symbols."
"The celestial symbols covering this odd orb bewitch the imagination. And according to some, that’s exactly the point, as it’s thought the ancient Greeks may have used the sphere in magic rituals.
The large marble sphere was found in 1866 at the Theater of Dionysus, which stands at the foot of the famed Acropolis. It’s believed the curious orb was created sometime between the second and third centuries CE.
Not much is known about the strange sphere. Because it was found buried near the Theater of Dionysus—a place where duels and other sporting events were held—it’s said the ball may have been used in magic rituals by those hoping to win.
The carvings adorning the sphere are mysterious and mystical. Most agree the human figure is a depiction of Helios, the god of the Sun. He sits atop a grand throne, clutching a whip in one hand and three lit torches in the other. A great beast rests at his feet, which is said to be either a lion or a dog and is thought to represent a constellation.
Other animal and celestial symbols cover the rest of the sphere. Scan the globe, and you’ll come across a whole medley of magical, alchemistic, and astral symbols."
4 comments:
Semiramis and the great work for those who see
Semiramis and the great work for those who can see
Semiramis and the great work for those who can see
I've been into Greek and Roman art close to 40 years and I have never heard about this sphere. It looks suspicious and totally fake.
We've been taught about ancient Greece at school in detail, too, since our country is also in the Greek neighbourhood and our ancestors traded with them.
It is really odd that nobody around here has ever heard about such a big and well preserved artefact.
It is also odd that I've never seen it in any books about Ancient Greek art. Ever.
I know Greeks and Romans dealt with magic quite a lot, everybody did, but all this is really strange.
This sphere looks fake asf, sorry.
Either it is just something made by those who were digging there in the 19th century, which is not unheard of, or it is a Medieval magic thingie. But definitely not Ancient Greek.
The pics on it are really bad, anatomically sloppy and shallow. Just a piece of crap they were capable of making in the Middle Ages.
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