Month: June 2013

Nuntii Latini (YLE)

~ David Meadows ~ rogueclassicist ~ Leave a comment

This week’s Latin news from our friends at YLE … this week’s translators are Reijo Pitkäranta and Saara Honkanen:

De tempestate Europae

Hac aestate ineunte tempestas in Europa multum variavit. In Finnia, imprimis in partibus terrae septentrionalibus, aer tam calidus fuit, ut cives de aestibus molestis et saluti nocentibus publice praemonerentur.

Civitates autem mediae Europae, praesertim Tzekia, Austria, Germania, imbribus et inundationibus vexatae sunt, quibus complures homines vitam amiserunt et multa milia domum relinquere coacta sunt.

Alia:

Tumultus in Turcia orti … De statu Lettoniae novo … Sarinum in Syria adhibitum … Jansa corruptionis convictus … De re scholastica Russiae … Aquae ad natandum purissimae

Digging to Resume at Sebastapolis

~ David Meadows ~ rogueclassicist ~ Leave a comment

From Hurriyet:

After a 22-year hiatus, archaeological excavations will begin once again in the ancient city of Sebastapolis in the Central Anatolian province of Tokat’s Sulusaray district.

Sulusaray district administrator Yaşar Kemal Yılmaz said Sebastapolis was known as one of the most significant ancient cities in the Central Black Sea and Northeastern Anatolian region.

Yılmaz said the ancient city had been the capital of a number of states in the past. “One of the leading Roman cities, Sebastapolis, is regarded as a ‘second Ephesus’ by archaeologists and experts. It is a highly significant area. But because of some technical problems and a lack of interest, the excavations that were carried out between 1987 and 1991 were insufficient. The ancient city is in a bad and idle situation. We are doing our best for the protection of ancient pieces there with the help of security forces. Excavations should begin as soon as possible to unearth these works and present them to the world,” he said.

Yılmaz added that unearthing the ancient city was also important for Sulusaray district in terms of attracting visitors. “Sebastapolis has strategic importance. The ancient works will shed light on the past. Once the ancient city is unearthed, the district will be a center of attraction,” he said.

Yılmaz said the excavation works would begin this month under the leadership of the Tokat Museum Directorate and the scientific consultancy of Gaziosmanpaşa Univesity History of Department member Associate Professor Şengül Dilek Ful.

Ancient city of Sebastapolis

It is reported in some resources that the ancient city of Sebastapolis was established in the 1st century B.C. The ancient city was included in the Cappadocia region after being separated from the Pontus Galatius and Polemoniacus states at the time of the Roman Emperor Trajan between 98 and 117 A.D. It was known as one of the five largest cities in the Black Sea 2,000 years ago because of the fact that it was located on passageways and thanks to its thermal sources, which are still being used today.

As an indicator of its wealth at the time of the Roman Empire, Sebastapolis had the authority to print money. It is reported that the city lost its importance and was forgotten over time, largely due to big wars, destruction, disasters and changes to passageways.

Finds from Zakynthos

~ David Meadows ~ rogueclassicist ~ 2 Comments

I’m somewhat skeptical about this one as it is being reported … from the Greek Reporter:

A submerged underwater archaeological site with extensive sunken architectural remains was found by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities team at a depth of 200 to 600 m. off the Alikanas beach on northeast Zakynthos, the Ionian Sea Island, as archaiologia.gr revealed.

The team has begun exploring around the area since May 13, 2013, after an invitation made by the Municipality of Zakynthos.

The large site covers about 30,000 sq. m., something that reflects the existence of a significant ancient settlement in the Alikanas area. It contains a visible courtyard, ancient building material and at least 20 circular column bases, with a 34 cm hollow in the center where a wooden column may have been inserted.

Initial assessment leads to the result that the remains belong to a large ancient public building, which is probably related to the ancient city’s port. However, due to the absence of pottery from the surface, it is still not that easy to date the find.

The Municipality of Zakynthos along with the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities will proceed to more extensive research and mapping of the site as soon as possible, so as new evidence will be found of the history and topography of ancient Zakynthos.

The original article includes a photo of what might be one of the column bases. Even so — and acknowledging that the area around Zakynthos is earthquake prone — we’re talking a very large site which is supposedly 200m to 600m below the surface of the sea. That’s pretty deep for a major site to sink and no one to mention it. I’m very curious how this was explored (divers? submarine? robot?) and whether it might not make more sense to see this as one or more shipwrecks full of building materials … we definitely need more details on this one.