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Malachi151 · 02-20-2007, 06:13 PM

On the History Channel just now they were talking about ancient machines, and they said that "there is a document" that says that there were ceremonies performed where the audience would consume intoxicating drinks while priests would be suspected from a crane and appear to rise from the dead.

Ummm... hello!

Anyone know specifically what they are talking about here?

burlo · 02-20-2007, 06:17 PM

Deu ex machina (sp?) 'The God Machine'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina

gstafleu · 02-20-2007, 06:19 PM

They are talking about the special effects division of the mysteries I think.

Gerard Stafleu

burlo · 02-20-2007, 06:25 PM

Where two or more gather in my name there I will be if I can get this damn crane to work.

Gamera · 02-20-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi151

On the History Channel just now they were talking about ancient machines, and they said that "there is a document" that says that there were ceremonies performed where the audience would consume intoxicating drinks while priests would be suspected from a crane and appear to rise from the dead.

Ummm... hello!

Anyone know specifically what they are talking about here?

We know virtually nothing about the mystery religions, since by definition, their ceremonies weren't discussed. It was apparently taboo to speak about. What we know is almost completely from much later writers who probably don't know what their talking about.

This sound like some reference to late Roman stagecraft techniques, as noted below. The association between Greek drama and mystery religions has been much discussed.

Malachi151 · 02-20-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burlo

Deu ex machina (sp?) 'The God Machine'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina

This link talks about plot devices, not any real machine.

Malachi151 · 02-20-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamera

We know virtually nothing about the mystery religions, since by definition, their ceremonies weren't discussed. It was apparently taboo to speak about. What we know is almost completely from much later writers who probably don't know what their talking about.

This sound like some reference to late Roman stagecraft techniques, as noted below. The association between Greek drama and mystery religions has been much discussed.

I know that, this seemed like there was some more information. They didn't give a document name, as usual, but it said that some document discussed the details of how this was done, I was trying to find out what document they are talking about.

Roger Pearse · 02-21-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi151

I know that, this seemed like there was some more information. They didn't give a document name, as usual, but it said that some document discussed the details of how this was done, I was trying to find out what document they are talking about.

I'd have a look in Hero of Alexandria's Pneumatica.

Roger Pearse

Barefoot Bree · 02-21-2007, 06:49 AM

Have you tried looking on the History Channel's web site? They sometimes have more info on their programs, which might give you a place to start looking, anyway. Or perhaps a source name you could email.

Malachi151 · 02-21-2007, 08:02 AM

I can't find much info, but it was episode 9: Mega Machines:

http://www.history.com/minisite.do?c...&mini_id=52979

Its going to show a few more times, check the linked schedule if interested:

Quote:

Ancient Discoveries : 09 - Mega Machines Airs on Saturday February 24 04:00 PM

In 2004 the American School of Classical Studies in Greece made a surprising discovery of two limestone coffins which dated back 3000 years. Archaeologist Guy Sanders was not only surprised by the quality of the sarcophagi but shocked by their size and weight. The coffins weighed 3 tons, and he concluded that the people of the Geometric Period must have used massive machines to move them. From the Pharos of Alexandria to the Parthenon on the Acropolis we will delve into the world of the ancient heavy engineers, and discover how their machines were used to build and transport some of the most amazing structures in Antiquity.

That summary doesn't say anything about what I am talking about. It was only mentioned as an aside for about 30 seconds, but they showed a guy being lifted from the ground up into the sky over a crowd of people while talking about it.

02-20-2007, 06:13 PM	#1
Malachi151 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 8,674	History Channel: Ancient Romans using drugs and cranes in religious drama On the History Channel just now they were talking about ancient machines, and they said that "there is a document" that says that there were ceremonies performed where the audience would consume intoxicating drinks while priests would be suspected from a crane and appear to rise from the dead. Ummm... hello! Anyone know specifically what they are talking about here?

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02-20-2007, 06:17 PM	#2
burlo Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 318	Deu ex machina (sp?) 'The God Machine' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina

02-20-2007, 06:19 PM	#3
gstafleu Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,719	They are talking about the special effects division of the mysteries I think. Gerard Stafleu

02-20-2007, 06:25 PM	#4
burlo Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 318	Where two or more gather in my name there I will be if I can get this damn crane to work.

02-21-2007, 06:49 AM	#9
Barefoot Bree Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: East of ginger trees Posts: 12,637	Have you tried looking on the History Channel's web site? They sometimes have more info on their programs, which might give you a place to start looking, anyway. Or perhaps a source name you could email.

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