Freethought & Rationalism Archive

mountainman · 09-17-2009, 01:33 AM

BLOG ARTICLE

.... This discovery suggests that pagan beliefs persisted,
although the fact that the miniature Aphrodites were buried whole, as if hidden,
could suggest that their worship could have been clandestine or suppressed.

Quote:

Three Roman-era figurines of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, have been unearthed at an archaeological site east of the sea of Galilee in Israel. Sussita, known as Hippos to the Greeks on account of the horse's head-shaped hill on which it was built, was a Greco-Roman town that became one of the 10 cities (the Decapolis) in Coele-Syria that were granted some independence when Pompey conquered in 63 BC. (Other Decapolis cities include Qanawat and Jerash.)

It is thought that the figurines, measuring 23cm high, date from the fourth century AD – a time when Constantine the Great laid out the beginnings of the Byzantine empire and Hippo would have become increasingly Christian. This discovery suggests that pagan beliefs persisted, although the fact that the miniature Aphrodites were buried whole, as if hidden, could suggest that their worship could have been clandestine or suppressed. The figurines are depicted in the 'Venus pudica' pose, showing the goddess modestly covering herself with her hands.

Clivedurdle · 09-17-2009, 02:21 AM

http://books.google.com/books?id=HX6...ictory&f=false

But Victory for example was not finally removed until 382. These political battles continue to today - xmas trees for example.

Xianity was never able to impose its monolithic beliefs, it co-evolved, took in other ideas. "Pagan" is xian propaganda.

Part of the problem is that these nuances are ignored because of assumptions of xianity being more important than it was.

As I understand it Judaism for example was really a Greek religion for at least half a millenia. The Xian books are written in Greek!

credoconsolans · 09-17-2009, 11:08 AM

Not surprising. Many early Christians were polytheists. They probably saw no reason why they could just adopt Jesus as well as keep their other favorite gods.

Toto · 09-17-2009, 11:52 AM

I wonder what archeologists from the 31st century will make of all of the statues of St. Joseph that American homeowners have buried in their yards upsidedown, based on the urban legend/rumor that that will help them sell their houses?

credoconsolans · 09-17-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

I wonder what archeologists from the 31st century will make of all of the statues of St. Joseph that American homeowners have buried in their yards upsidedown, based on the urban legend/rumor that that will help them sell their houses?

Never heard of this. Interesting though.

Toto · 09-17-2009, 01:45 PM

Snopes on burying St. Joseph upside down to sell property

Quote:

The reputed origins of the practice vary. Some say an order of European nuns in the Middle Ages buried a medal of St. Joseph while asking the saint to intercede in its quest for a convent. Others claim it may be connected to a practice of German carpenters who buried the statues in the foundations of houses they built and said a prayer to St. Joseph. Yet others trace the connection to a chapel building effort in Montreal in the late 1800s. Brother Andre Bessette wanted to buy some land on Mount Royal in Montreal to construct a small chapel called an oratory. When the landowners refused to sell, Bessette began planting medals of St. Joseph on the property. In 1896 the owners suddenly relented and sold, and Bessette was able to build his oratory.

But these theories may well be instances of retrofitting lore to a custom because mentions older than contemporary times have failed to materialize in standard folklore references. That the custom now has an interesting backstory does not mean its backstory is valid or even that old.

The practice of burying a plastic St. Joseph to help speed the sale of a home dates at least to 1984 in the U.S.A. In 1990 it seemingly became all the rage, with realtors buying plastic saints' statues by the gross. The standard practice calls for the statue to be dug up once the property has sold and placed on the grateful seller's mantle or in another place of honor. Some, however, who have trouble remembering where they interred their statues prefer to leave the buried saints where they've been placed to help protect the properties for the new owners. (Which may not work all that well; some believe leaving the statue underground will cause the land to continue changing hands.)

Susan2 · 09-17-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

I wonder what archeologists from the 31st century will make of all of the statues of St. Joseph that American homeowners have buried in their yards upsidedown, based on the urban legend/rumor that that will help them sell their houses?

Well, I'll make sure I bury a time capsule and tell them. Give then the daily headlines, that ought to make them sick.

I wonder what they will think of us?

credoconsolans · 09-17-2009, 06:44 PM

Yeah, based on the size and incredible number of our trash dumps, they'll probably be able to read all about why we do things simply from all our trash.

DCHindley · 09-17-2009, 07:50 PM

Why has no one noticed that Hippos was a Hellenic town of the Decapolis, and not Jewish at all, much less in Judea? Why on earth shouldn't figures of Aphrodite show up in archeological digs?

DCH

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainman

BLOG ARTICLE

.... This discovery suggests that pagan beliefs persisted,
although the fact that the miniature Aphrodites were buried whole, as if hidden,
could suggest that their worship could have been clandestine or suppressed.

Quote:

Three Roman-era figurines of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, have been unearthed at an archaeological site east of the sea of Galilee in Israel. Sussita, known as Hippos to the Greeks on account of the horse's head-shaped hill on which it was built, was a Greco-Roman town that became one of the 10 cities (the Decapolis) in Coele-Syria that were granted some independence when Pompey conquered in 63 BC. (Other Decapolis cities include Qanawat and Jerash.)

It is thought that the figurines, measuring 23cm high, date from the fourth century AD – a time when Constantine the Great laid out the beginnings of the Byzantine empire and Hippo would have become increasingly Christian. This discovery suggests that pagan beliefs persisted, although the fact that the miniature Aphrodites were buried whole, as if hidden, could suggest that their worship could have been clandestine or suppressed. The figurines are depicted in the 'Venus pudica' pose, showing the goddess modestly covering herself with her hands.

mountainman · 09-18-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCHindley

Why on earth shouldn't figures of Aphrodite show up in archeological digs?

Why on earth shouldn't figures of <edit> Jesus <edit> show up in archeological digs?

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09-17-2009, 02:21 AM	#2
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	http://books.google.com/books?id=HX6...ictory&f=false But Victory for example was not finally removed until 382. These political battles continue to today - xmas trees for example. Xianity was never able to impose its monolithic beliefs, it co-evolved, took in other ideas. "Pagan" is xian propaganda. Part of the problem is that these nuances are ignored because of assumptions of xianity being more important than it was. As I understand it Judaism for example was really a Greek religion for at least half a millenia. The Xian books are written in Greek!

09-17-2009, 11:08 AM	#3
credoconsolans Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: land of the home, free of the brave Posts: 9,729	Not surprising. Many early Christians were polytheists. They probably saw no reason why they could just adopt Jesus as well as keep their other favorite gods.

09-17-2009, 11:52 AM	#4
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	I wonder what archeologists from the 31st century will make of all of the statues of St. Joseph that American homeowners have buried in their yards upsidedown, based on the urban legend/rumor that that will help them sell their houses?

09-17-2009, 06:44 PM	#8
credoconsolans Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: land of the home, free of the brave Posts: 9,729	Yeah, based on the size and incredible number of our trash dumps, they'll probably be able to read all about why we do things simply from all our trash.

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