Latest news with #Dionysus
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
1,700-Year-Old Roman Artifact Depicting Gods in Drinking Contest Unearthed
In a discovery hailed as the 'first of its kind,' archaeologists in Israel have found a Roman marble sarcophagus which depicts a scene of the mythical gods Dionysus and Hercules engaged in a drinking contest, according to a press release from the Israel Antiquities Authority. The artifact, which is estimated to be about 1,700 years old, was discovered during an excavation in Caesarea, which lies along the country's Mediterranean coast. "We were uncovering soft dune sand when suddenly the tip of a marble object appeared," explained archaeologists Nohar Shahar and Shani Amit. The coffin had been broken into many pieces, but overall remained fantastically preserved. "Piece by piece, we revealed gods, satyrs, animals, and finally the crowning scene—Hercules reclined on a lion's skin, cup in hand, clearly defeated." "This isn't just decoration," Shahar continued. "This motif of the drinking contest between Dionysus and Hercules, while found in mosaics from Zippori and Antioch, has never been discovered on a sarcophagus in our region. It reflects a belief that death marks not an end, but a transition-celebrated with wine, dance, and divine company." After a painstaking conservation process undertaken by a series of experts, the full scene emerged for the first time in centuries. The scene finds famously strong Hercules felled not by his mythical opponents, but rather wine, as Dionysus looks on unfazed. "It's clear who won the contest," Shahar cracked. "Hercules can no longer stand." The sarcophagus will shortly be on display for the public. "This sarcophagus prompts us to rethink the spiritual and physical geography of Roman Caesarea," said Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority. "It's a powerful example of how Roman-era funerary art merged myth, ritual, and personal legacy."1,700-Year-Old Roman Artifact Depicting Gods in Drinking Contest Unearthed first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 14, 2025
The Independent
11-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Uncovered sarcophagus offers an ancient perspective on death
Archaeologists in Israel unearthed a 1,700-year-old marble sarcophagus depicting the Greek gods Hercules and Dionysus in a drinking contest near Caesarea. The sarcophagus, dating from the second or third century AD, suggests the area outside Caesarea was densely populated during the Roman period. The artefact portrays animals, trees, Hercules, and Dionysus, with Hercules shown unable to stand, indicating Dionysus won the drinking contest. Experts are restoring the sarcophagus, which provides a rare regional perspective on death, symbolising it as a transition to a new life rather than an end. Israel Antiquities Authority director Eli Escusido called the find "thought-provoking," highlighting its insights into Roman-era beliefs and daily life.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Archaeologists unearth Roman-era sarcophagus showing Greek gods in drinking contest
Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,700-year-old marble sarcophagus depicting Greek gods Hercules and Dionysus in a drinking contest. The rare artefact, dated to the second or third century AD, was found outside the walls of Caesarea, an ancient city by the Mediterranean Sea where excavations are ongoing. The discovery suggests that Caesarea, now in Israel, holds archaeological significance beyond the confines of its walls. It appears the surrounding area was also likely densely populated during the Roman period. 'We began removing the soft, light sand of the dune when suddenly the tip of a marble object popped up,' Nohar Shahar and Shani Amit from the Israel Antiquities Authority said in a statement. 'The entire excavation team stood around excitedly and as we cleared more sand, we couldn't believe what we were seeing.' The sarcophagus depicts animals, trees, the demigod Hercules, and the god of wine and revelry Dionysus. 'This is the very first time we find the Dionysus and Hercules wine competition scene on a burial coffin in our region,' Dr Shahar said. The sarcophagus was found in a broken state and each uncovered fragment looked 'more impressive than the one before'. 'In fact, in the very last hour of the excavation came the climax – an entire intact side of the sarcophagus, which was buried in the sand, was uncovered, which portrays the scene of Hercules lying on a lion's skin, holding a cup in his hand,' they said. Hercules, known for his strength, is depicted on the sarcophagus 'as someone who is no longer able to stand', revealing exactly who won the drinking contest portrayed in the artwork. Conservators are currently working to restore, clean, and assemble the fragments of the sarcophagus. While scenes of Dionysus in procession are commonly found on sarcophagi from the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, this specific depiction of a drinking contest, a familiar theme in Roman art, is known in this region from mosaics such as those uncovered in Zippori and Antioch, Dr Shahar said. The archaeologist explained that the imagery symbolised more than just celebration. 'In this case, it seems that the figures are not only celebrating,' Dr Shahar explained, 'they are in fact accompanying the dead on his last journey, when drinking and dancing are transformed into a symbol of liberation and transition to life in the next world. This sarcophagus offers an unusual perspective of the idea of death – not as an end, but as the beginning of a new path.' Israel Antiquities Authority director Eli Escusido called the find 'thought-provoking' and said it shed light on Roman -era beliefs and daily life.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Extraordinary' sarcophagus discovered in Israel shows carving of Dionysus beating Hercules in a drinking contest
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A 1,700-year-old Roman sarcophagus depicting a legendary drinking contest has been discovered in Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced Monday (June 9). Archaeologists uncovered the artifact, which dates back to the second or third century A.D., near the ancient city of Caesarea along the country's northwest coast. The carved marble depicts a drinking contest between the demigod Hercules and Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and parties, who is equivalent to Bacchus in the Roman pantheon. Though similar scenes appear in mosaics from the same period, the find marks the first appearance of this particular story on a sarcophagus from the region. "This sarcophagus is an extraordinary work of art," Mark Avrahami, head of artistic conservation at the IAA, said in a translated video. "There are not many sarcophagi like this, even in the world." The 1,700-year-old sarcophagus was buried beneath a sand dune and fractured into pieces when archaeologists uncovered it as part of a series of excavations of the city. After the pieces were excavated, conservators cleaned and reassembled the parts to reveal the full scene. One unbroken side of the marble coffin shows Hercules depicted lying on a lion skin. "He's at the end of the contest holding a cup of wine in his hand, and of course he's in this position because in the contest Dionysus, the god of wine — whom no one can defeat — emerged victorious," Nohar Shahar, an archaeologist with the IAA, said in the video. Dionysus is shown as part of a joyful procession, surrounded by satyrs, female followers and Pan, the god of the wild. "In this case, it seems that the figures are not only celebrating — they are in fact accompanying the dead on his last journey, when drinking and dancing are transformed into a symbol of liberation and transition to life in the next world," Shahar said in a statement. "This sarcophagus offers an unusual perspective of the idea of death — not as an end, but as the beginning of a new path." Image 1 of 2 How the marble sarcophagus looked after its preservation. Image 2 of 2 Archaeologists found the sarcophagus in this excavation site outside the ancient walls of the city of Caesarea. RELATED STORIES —1,700-year-old Roman fort discovered in Germany was built to keep out barbarians —2,800-year-old structure unearthed in Israel was likely used for cultic practices and sacrifice, archaeologists say —2,200-year-old mysterious pyramid structure filled with coins and weapons found near Dead Sea Archaeologists found the sarcophagus outside the walls of Caesarea, an ancient city by the Mediterranean Sea, alongside other marble slabs with names inscribed on them. These discoveries suggest that Caesarea wasn't only confined to within its walls, and that the surrounding area was more densely populated and rich in artifacts than archaeologists previously thought, Shahar said in the video. "This is a thought-provoking discovery reflecting how life and faith were perceived in the Roman world," IAA director-general Eli Escusido said in the statement. The sarcophagus is undergoing thorough conservation before being made available for public viewing.
Irish Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Marvellous Mykonos: ‘Even the humble act of taking a breather is an exceptional experience here'
Of course the Greek island of Mykonos was named after a descendant of Dionysus, the Greek god of pleasure – who else could give rise to this party island? I'm catching tan in the wicker-and-white surrounds of SantAnna Beach Club in the south of the island, where rapper and musician Travis Scott was recently spotted and revered international DJ Black Coffee plays later in the evening. The thumping daytime beats turn up a notch, causing me to notice a gathering at the ankle-deep end of the island-studded pool, where a dozen or so ladies in string bikinis have loosely gathered to dance. Their eyes are hidden behind aviators and the moves are only just choreographed – they know that trying too hard is uncool, even for beach club entertainment. Eventually I wander back to my bed, past the groups of 20-something men and the catwalk-ready women, with their ice buckets of champagne or vodka kept by the aisle for the waiting staff to see (though it doesn't hurt that the other clientele can too). It's all quite impressive for midday on a Monday. READ MORE Since the 1950s, Mykonos – the largest of the Cyclades islands, located in the stretch of the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey – has earned a reputation as a destination for hedonism. It's where good time vibes drift through the air from dawn to dusk, then carry on until dawn again. In the 1980s when homophobia was on the rise, it was a safe haven for everyone. Then came the big names. Any given year, culturally relevant celebrities from Brigitte Bardot to Beyoncé to Bella Hadid helped propel its high-end image. The rich and the richer arrived too, ready to splash the cash here as an alternative to Saint-Tropez or Ibiza. As Mykonos became the destination to see and be seen, demand surged into a classic case of over-tourism – not ideal for an island smaller than Dublin city. My first glimpse of Mykonos is flying in, when I just about see fleck-like superyachts crowded along Mykonos's peacock-blue bays, and the minimalist lines of chic, swimming pooled hotels studded across the rocky hills. Even from this perspective, it's clear that if Mykonos has been turning into a playground for rich and famous for decades, the mission is now complete. Mykonos harbour in the evening, the island's famous windmills visible at the left Of course, there's an ecological and community impact of this change, and it closes off much of the island to the average holidaymaker. In 2017, a pair of sunbeds at the plush Pasaji Beach Club and Restaurant ( ) was €22. In 2019, it was €40. Five years and one pandemic later, they're now €90. While Greece as a whole has been enjoying increased tourism, Mykonos's traveller numbers are declining – the start of 2024 saw 5.8 per cent fewer seats scheduled to the island. Even though reliable bus services radiate from the hub of Mykonos town to the beaches across the island, pre-booked taxis are a €40 minimum, my pink-shirted, black espadrille-wearing driver tells me. Like most of the service industry, he's from Athens but stays in Mykonos over the summer to earn his money for the year. 'Of course it isn't worth €40 to take a taxi for five minutes,' he says, glancing from behind his Ray-Bans. 'Honestly, I feel so bad asking it from the people who come. I think other islands are just as beautiful, but they come to Mykonos because it's got a name and it's got the clubs.' [ Santorini in the shoulder months: No crowds, just stunning food, wine and views Opens in new window ] The troublesome thing is: well, exactly. Ostentatious as some might find the champagne-fuelled parties Mykonos is known for, there's much to be said for a destination that knows its niche. And Mykonos is certainly committed to the finer things in life. Mykonos is certainly committed to the finer things in life I was drawn originally to the island to experience the open-air club of Cavo Paradiso ( ), a bay away from SantAnna ( ). Refashioned from a shepherd's hut in 1997, it's become one of the must-visit clubs in the world thanks to its location (carved in the uplit rocks of Mykonos's cliff edge) and state-of-the-art sound (a Funktion-One sound system). And it lives up to the hype. It's almost impossible to tear myself away from the heaving dance floor where Italian duo Mathame commandeer the decks with precision. Yet when I move to the sidelines, the ever-present Mykonos warm breeze is most welcome as I gaze out to the rippling, moonlit sea beyond. Even the humble act of taking a breather is an exceptional experience here. Late night clubs aren't the only party in Mykonos. At the dinner and show experience of Lío ( ), in the heart of Mykonos Town, strobes and coloured lights work overtime to create a sensory explosion, especially as the heat of the night and the open-air courtyard are already disorienting (happily the fireworks were at the end of the show). Onstage entertainers perform high-energy medleys of household songs from Michael Jackson, Beyoncé and Madonna, with even a bit of Hozier slipping in for a more contemplative moment. Dancers shake and prance their way through the tables of big birthday parties of boisterous people in their 40s, duos of older men sat opposite impeccable petite ladies, and smatterings of glammed-up women living their best life. It's no superclub, but as one wooing gentleman gives the nod for a second bottle of Tattinger (at €750 a pop), it's clearly a place to kick back in style. Mykonos Theoxenia: 'A quietude that whispers to the exclusivity of the resort' My accommodation in the town is Mykonos Theoxenia, a boutique hotel tucked behind the island's iconic windmills. On a day so sizzling that suntan lotion feels claustrophobic, Mykonos's many visitors swarm around the hotel, taking pictures in front of the striking sight, promenading around its breezy costal perimeter and sheltering at its covered entrance. But beyond the gate lies a quietude that whispers to the exclusivity of the resort. While reception is busy with guests arriving in and checking out, its luxe facilities – the sunbed-lined pool that overlooks the cruise-shipped bay, the divine restaurant that serves up massive juicy prawns over a hot stone at the table – are quiet. All set against the purple-orange sunset reflected in that bay, there's no reason for this exemplary experience to be almost mine alone, but I gratefully and greedily lap up the attention from the staff. Mykonos Theoxenia is a boutique hotel in the island's main town It's a similar vibe in the adults-only Once in Mykonos, located at Ornos Bay on the southwest of the island. Set on a hill within a zigzagging complex a little back from the throng of the small town, Once in Mykonos has cosier rooms – the bathroom is essentially incorporated into the main space, for example. That's perhaps why the social spaces are busier, though just as upscale: staff intermittently go beach bed to beach bed so the guests can sample shots of cocktails; no one converses in anything above a hushed tone. Here, it takes me nanoseconds to realise I have found my new happy place: the hotel's infinity pool that looks out on to the bay and Mykonos's daily light shows – first the blood-orange sunset, then fireworks that colourfully illuminate the town. Yet even in this era of Mykonos, there's space for modest spenders. On my final night in Ornos, I zigzag in my flip-flops down to the moonlit bay, hugging the road to avoid the stream of shiny black cars battling to move forward on the narrow streets. It's not long before I find myself within the hubbub of Lefteris GrillHouse, taking a dinner on the terrace of gingham-covered tables. I order a snipe of Prosecco plus a basket of starchy-white bread and tangy Greek olive oil to nibble on before my Greek salad arrives: a no-fuss slab of feta cheese atop a simple medley of green peppers, cucumber, flavour-packed tomatoes and red onion. Salt and pepper from the pots. It's not quite the lobster and fine wines of Once in Mykonos, but it's divine, and all for €20. Once In Mykanos: 'It takes me nanoseconds there to realise I have found my new happy place' En route back on this oven-hot evening, I swing by the beach, where, lit up by the glow of the beachfront bars and restaurants, I ignore the unmanned plush sunbeds, lay my beach bag and towel on the sand, and cool off in the gin-clear waters. It's every bit the sweet relief I anticipated. There's no better reminder that in Mykonos, the best things in life are free. It's simply that, as Coco Chanel once said, the second best are very expensive. Shilpa was a guest of Once in Mykonos and Mykonos Theoxenia. Fly to Mykonos indirect from €190. Rooms at Mykonos Theoxenia start from €388 – see to book. Rooms at Once in Mykonos start from €329 – see to book.
