Minos Attempts to Kill Baby Minotaur

One Saturday this past summer I had a chance to visit the absolutely amazing archaeological museum in Perugia.  Among the wonders of their collection are a large number of Etruscan and Roman cinerary urns.   One of the most popular motifs among their decorated cinerary urns is the sacrifice of Iphegenia, about which I hope to post more soon.  However, among the multiple examples of the sacrifice of Iphegenia,  I encountered one scene I had never seen before on a cinerary urn, or any other medium for that matter: Minos' encounter with baby Minotaur.

 travertine cinerary urn of a woman -- from territory of Perugia -- 2nd century BCE

The scene includes Pasiphaë on the ground, naked with a blanket around her; two standing women, the one on the right holding a baby with what could be a bull's face; and Minos, on the far right with sword raised, threatening to kill baby Minotaur, Pasiphaë, or maybe both.

The grown Minotaur appears was a popular theme in Greek (particularly Athenian) art, and I know of one example of the baby Minotaur on Pasiphaë's lap, depicted in a red-figure kylix from Eturia (of Attic manufacture), below.

Pasiphaë and the Minotaur. Tondo of an Attic red-figure kylix, 340-320 BC. From Vulci.  Now at BnF -- Paris, Cabinet de Medailles. 

 There are also multiple examples of Theseus and the Minotaur.  However, the Perugia urn was the first example I had seen of Minos' encounter with Pasiphaë's newborn son and the attempt at violence that followed.  Why this would be a fitting subject for a cinerary urn at all, I am unsure.  Perhaps the kylix from Etruria indicates that the story of baby Minotaur was popular in Northern Italy by the fourth century, in which case the cinerary urn could suggest the continuing popularity of the theme into the second century.   However, I  would like to find out if there are other representations of the birth scene and Minos' reaction from northern Italy, or elsewhere.   So, if readers know of any additional examples, please send them on!

Addendum:
In response to reader requests, I have added a photo of the Perugia Museum's label for the cinerary urn featuring Minos attempting to kill the baby Minotaur.  Enjoy!

Sant'Arnaldo

On weekends the past summer, I was able to visit some of the medieval churches near Massa Martana.  One of those churches was dedicated to Sant'Arnaldo.  The church is dated to the late 13th century, according to the Commune di Massa Martana.  The facade, below, and details, show indications of later repairs.  Also visible at the rear of the church, is a residence, presumably used in former times by those associated with the church.

 

For the curious visitor, a helpful sign reveals that Sant' Arnaldo is a special protector against the malady of hernias.  

Vicus ad Martis at the AIA

I (along with other teams members) will be presenting the results of the 2011 excavations at the AIA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Jan. 5-8, 2012.

Our presentation will be in Session 6 (Roman Italy), on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 2:45-5:15.  The conference program and website is here.  It should be a good session.  I hope to see some readers there! 

Gearing Up -- Hats

Next week we begin the 2011 excavations at the Vicus ad Martis, and I am packing my bags.  About this time last year I blogged about excavation footwear, noting that Italian law states that excavators must wear steel-toed boots.  Last year I duly complied with a nice pair of Timberlands -- suitable for digging, "This Old House," and 90s hip-hop.  They served me well and survived for another season.  They will be coming with me.  My only choice -- wear them and save room in my bag, or pack them and have a more comfortable flight.  I'm leaning toward the latter.

Last season's hat, however, did not survive.  My straw hat, a faithful companion since ca. 1998, died in Provence post-dig.  It now rests in peace somewhere near Aix-en-Provence.  What better place for a straw hat to see its final days?  Of course, that means that I must choose a new hat.  This summer I'm going with the Tilley Hat.  This hat has die-hard fans in diverse corners of the globe, and it does appear to be well made.  I've had a number of imitation Tilleys over the years, but this time I decided to cough up the money and buy a real one.  I admit, I am sucker for their advertising.

They highlight Canadian workmanship (I suppose those guys earn a living wage) and the lifetime warranty.  The literature that comes with the hat (yes, it comes with something like a manual) suggests that the owner is now part of club of adventure hat connoisseurs.  Oh, and the hat floats -- a feature I doubt I will be able to take advantage of.  Although, we did get down below the water table last summer.

I've been testing out the Tilley -- painting the backyard fence, walking to the park.  So far, it has held up well in the Oklahoma summer.  We will see if it can take digging in Umbria!

 

Bill Thayer on Santa Maria in Pantano

Bill Thayer has recently updated the entry on the Church of Santa Maria in Pantano in his gazetteer of churches in Umbria.  The entry has a well-illustrated description of the phases of construction of the church, the decorative blocks and spolia used in the church, the altar inscription, and other things.   

Santa Maria in Pantano is right next to the excavations at Vicus ad Martis.  In fact, excavators often have drinks and snacks at the bar built into the remains adjacent to the church.  So, if you are headed to the Vicus this summer, have a look at Thayer's description; we will spend quite a bit of time around the church.  Also, if you've been to Santa Maria in the past, have a look as well; the entry does a good job of explaining things that you might have seen, but not recognized or understood.