John the disciple sent to Patmos as a prisoner for the Gospel of Christ wrote as he was shown heaven in vision: And I saw no temple there: for the Lord God Almighty and (Jesus) the Lamb are the temple of it.
Revelations 21:22
A natural spring which has always been part of the sanctuary complex of ancient Brauron.
This ruin is situated near Vraveona.
The sanctuary was the centre of worship of Artemis, goddess of childbirth and protectress of animals.
The tyrant Peosistratos
brought Brauron fame in the
6th century BC
by making the worship of Artemis
the official state religion of
Athens.
It was in this spring and the area around it that many votive offerings were found. These could have been relocated by the Persians in 480BC when they destroyed the temple/sanctuary. I have not shown the votive offerings as they appear in many sites. I have looked at larger pieces and inspite of the Persians, notice how intact things are with so much detail.
Every four years in the spring there was a festival where girls between the ages of 5 to 10 danced for the goddess Artemis.
This was done in atonement for the killing of her pet bear.
The folds in her clothes.
The neat style of each curl in her hair.
Under her arm is a rabbit/ duck.
A child from so long ago.
I say that the art of sculpture is eight times as great as any other art based on drawing, because a statue has eight views and they must all be equally good.
Benevento Cellini 1500 – 1571 Italian goldsmith, sculptor, author.(It is said his biography is a good description of life in the 16th century.)
Let’s look at a few of the other finds made by Ioannis Papademetriou when he excavated the site from 1949-1963.
Look first at the marble heads of children. Notice the short, thick curly hair then a distinctive plait at the parting this was a child’s hairstyle at the end of the 4th century BC.
Next to them on marble is a list written in 416/5BC of the bronze and ivory furnishings and utensils used for sacrifices and banquets in the temple. This writing was before the Ionian script was made official in 403 BC.
The last of the three photographs shows a bull brought by Arstinika, the wife of Antiphates, as a sacrifice to the receiving goddess Artemis.
Then there is this new addition to the museum. Something that was here in Brauron but did some “travelling.” I photographed the story.
How to end. Perhaps with a quote.
It does not matter whether one paints a picture, writes a poem, or carves a statue – simplicity is the mark of a master – hand.
Elsie de Wolfe. (1865 – 1950 American actress, author and very first interior designer)
Have a simple uncomplicated time of day.
Sandy 🙂
You’re so fortunate to be seeing these fabulous historic places, Sandy. Thank you for sharing them with us because we may never get there.
I never dreamed that life would allow this. I feel privileged and amazed by so much. Learning so much when so old.🤣