The Odyssey, Lost Kings, and Other Ancient Discoveries (and a New Poll)
From the Editor
From the Editor
It seems like everywhere you turn lately, people are talking about The Odyssey. That's hardly surprising. A couple of weeks ago, Christopher Nolan's long-awaited interpretation of Homeric epic arrived in theaters. The film has been a hit with general audiences and has earned plenty of praise, but it has also drawn its fair share of criticism. Like any adaptation of a story this iconic, it has sparked plenty of debate over what it got right, what it changed, and whether those changes were worth it.
I myself did take the opportunity to write a small review:
And even spoke about it at length with Boston journalist Katy Kostakis in the most recent episode of our podcast (there will be a few spoilers):
What were your thoughts on the film? Feel free to reply in the comments.
On the topic of the Trojan War and just in case you missed it, Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom recently published one of my pieces on whether the Trojan War actually happened. Be sure to check it out:
All of this reminds me of the time I physically held a 2,000 year old papyrus fragment of the Iliad. Yes, this is my photo from when I was allowed access to examine the amazing artifact.
In the News
Three New Assyrian Kings Identified
Researchers at Yale have identified three previously unknown Assyrian kings after studying a remarkable inscribed throne. The discovery helps fill gaps in the Assyrian royal lineage and offers fresh insight into one of the ancient Near East’s greatest empires. Source: Yale News.
Torchlit Rituals and Powerful Priestesses in Phrygia
New inscriptions from the ancient city of Acmonia reveal that torch-bearing statues were carried through the streets at night during religious ceremonies. The texts also highlight the prominent role of priestesses, giving us a fascinating glimpse into public rituals and female religious leadership in the Roman period. Source: La Brújula Verde.
Ancient Funerary Complex Discovered in Egypt
Archaeologists have uncovered an impressive funerary complex at Tell El-Deir in Egypt, complete with tombs, burial shafts, and a wealth of artifacts. The discovery is helping researchers better understand burial customs and daily life during a key period of Egyptian history. Source: Ahram Online.
Ancient Merchant Ship Found Off Andros Island
Divers exploring the waters off Greece’s Andros Island discovered the remains of an ancient merchant ship resting on the seabed. Its cargo and construction promise to reveal more about the trade networks that connected the ancient Mediterranean, making it an exciting find for maritime archaeology. Source: Archaeology Magazine.
Roman Villa Library Found in Spain
Archaeologists believe they have uncovered the oldest known library in the Iberian Peninsula inside a Roman villa near Córdoba. The discovery pushes the western edge of the Roman world’s literary culture farther than previously known and offers a rare glimpse into intellectual life in Roman Spain. Source: La Brújula Verde.
Wooden Beams Linked to Jerusalem’s First Temple
Researchers have analyzed charred wooden beams believed to date to the destruction of Jerusalem’s First Temple in 586 BC. These remains provide valuable physical evidence of one of the most significant events in ancient Jewish history and help archaeologists better understand the city’s final days before the Babylonian conquest. Source: Archaeology Magazine.
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The end of labor is to gain leisure. - Aristotle
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Featured image: Odysseus in the Cave of Polyphemus by Jacob Jordaens ca. 1630-1635. (Public Domain)
