Monday, December 3, 2012
LYN Memorial Library
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Pergamum with Acropolis and Sanctuary of Asclepius
The church in Pergamun was one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
The Asclepius situated below the Acropolis had an ancient hospital for the mentally ill. Galen the most fanous doctor in the ancient Roman Empire and personal physician to Emperor Marcus Aurelius practised there.
Pergamum's library at the Acropolis was the second best in the ancient Greek civilisation. There were 200,000 volumes in the library. Mark Anthony took the whole collection to Alexandria in Egypt as a wedding gift for Cleopatra. Parchment (pergaminus or pergamena) was invented here when there was a lack of papyrus for writing.
The Asclepius situated below the Acropolis had an ancient hospital for the mentally ill. Galen the most fanous doctor in the ancient Roman Empire and personal physician to Emperor Marcus Aurelius practised there.
Pergamum's library at the Acropolis was the second best in the ancient Greek civilisation. There were 200,000 volumes in the library. Mark Anthony took the whole collection to Alexandria in Egypt as a wedding gift for Cleopatra. Parchment (pergaminus or pergamena) was invented here when there was a lack of papyrus for writing.
The beginning of the colonnaded sacred way leading to the sanctuary proper. |
People with health problems would bathe in the water of the sacred spring. |
The entrance to the tunnel. |
The tunnel leading to an ancient hospital. Psychotherapy was practised here. The physician would speak to the patient through the window above as he walked inside the tunnel in darkness. |
Rooms in the hospital. |
The Acropolis of Pergamum on a hill as seen from Asclepius. |
A Great Altar of Pergamum dedicated to Zeus was found in the Acropolis . John the apostle may have referred to this altar as the "Satan's Throne" in his Book of Revelation. |
Troy
The multi-deck wooden horse. |
Ancient Troy was abandoned by its people because it was no longer a sea port after heavy silting of the nearby river. |
Many walls protect the ancient city. |
A German archeologist discovered the ancient city of Troy. |
Pamukhale, Turkey
St. Sofia, Instanbul
Emperor Constantine was the first Christian Roman emperor. Istanbul was formerly known as Constantinople and St. Sofia was a cathedral. With the city falling into the hands of the Ottoman Turks the cathedral became a mosque. All Christian drawings were covered with plaster. Now the building is a museum and the removal of the plaster brought back fresh images of early Christian paintings. The stained glass panels remained intact following the orders of a sultan.
Saint Sophia a museum now. |
Notice both Christian and Islamic decorations. |
The largest Cathedral in Europe at one time. |
Ceiling decoration. |
Angulated to point to Mecca. |
The Virgin Mary and Christ previously hidden by plaster. |
Grandstand for the Sultan during prayers. |
Some of these pillars may have been taken from the temple of Artemis in Ephesus. |
An angel. |
Christ and Emperor Constantine. |
Gerome Valley, Cappadocia
Dinning room of the monks with seats made of rock. |
Hundreds of chapels carved into the hillsides date back to 373 AD. |
Ephesus
Former Roman official residences |
Sculptures |
The Arcadian Way leading to the ancient city of Ephesus where the apostles Paul and John visited. |
A Roman fountain |
Mosaic walkway. |
Facade of a rich man's house. |
Toilet bowls in a row to cater for the numerous sea farers. |
The Library of Celsus built by a former slave from Rome. |
Statue at the Library of Celsus. |
An amphitheater where gladiators once fought |
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