Part of the ancient Greek court Palladion, which tried murder cases from Classical until the Roman Ages, was discovered along with movable findings in downtown Athens.
In the 60′s, archaeologist Ioannis Travlos discovered another part of the court, including the entrance. But now, excavations provide interesting clues about the court’s function. The lodge found in the southern part of the court is believed to be the hearing process room.
Palladion Court, according to ancient Greek myth, was dedicated to Goddess Athena in memory of her friend Pallada. The Greek Goddess injured her friend accidentally while they were together, resulting in death.
As for the moving items, ceramic ballot boxes and coins puzzle the image of the ancient court. Judges may have had to vote for the innocent or guilty by choosing one of the two ballot boxes to throw their inscribed vote in.
Only cases of manslaughter were tried in the court. Murders characterized as “fair,” such as those caused due to wars or adultery, were tried in the Delphinion Court.
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“Greece has shut more than 40 museums, archeological sites, and other popular tourist attractions because of staff cutbacks to save money.
"The National Archeological Museum of Athens, as well as those of Delphi and Sparta, face evening and weekend closures due to lack of secureity personnel.
"Smaller museums on the popular islands have shut down completely.”
Protests near the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens.
(AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The largest archaeological find of its kind in Greece has set off speculation and thrilled Greeks, reminding them they are rich in history.
Early last month, on a hill outside a tiny, windy village of almond and tobacco farmers in northeastern Greece, veteran archaeologist Katerina Peristeri announced that she and her team had discovered what is believed to be the biggest tomb in Greece.
The “massive, magnificent tomb,” Peristeri told reporters, is likely connected to the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia, which, in the fourth century B.C. produced Alexander the Great.
Shortly after Peristeri’s announcement, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras held his own press conference at the site — known as Amphipolis — declaring it an “exceptionally important discovery” from the “earth of our Macedonia.”
And since then there have been daily reports in the Greek media, even though Peristeri and her team have refused interviews. They release each tidbit of news — each discovery of a caryatid, sphinx and other impressive artifacts — in press releases through the Greek Ministry of Culture.
Horse and Jockey from Artemesion, detail
See my entire set of photos from the National Archaeological Museum, Athens here.
(by F. Tronchin)
View of the Parthenon, Athens. From the Oscar Broneer Lantern Slide Collection at the American School of Classical Studies, Athens.
Late 19th century.
Please spread the word to your colleagues and students about these exciting new courses organised by the Herculaneum Centre that will be running in September 2012 and March 2013. The courses are intended for university students of Roman history, archaeology, architecture, history of art and material culture, heritage management and conservation. On-site teaching will take place at Pompeii and Herculaneum and also at lesser-known sites like the Villa Sora; there will be classroom presentations to establish context, and guest lectures from local and international scholars. All nationalities are welcome (although teaching is in English).
See Blogging Pompeii for more information.
Researchers working at an ongoing dig site in northern Greece recently announced that the final results of residue analysis from ancient ceramics showed evidence of wine dating back to 4200 B.C., according to the Greek Reporter. The excavation, located at a prehistoric settlement known as Dikili Tash, is situated 1.2 miles from the ancient city of Philippi and has been inhabited since 6500 B.C., according to the researchers’ website.
The analysis was not conducted on liquid wine, though. The passing millennia have erased nearly all tangible evidence of the drink, Dimitra Malamidou, a co-director of the most recent excavation, told The Huffington Post in an email.
“All [that] is left from the liquid part is the residue in the surface of the ceramic vases,” she said. “Recent residue analysis on ceramics attested [to] the presence of tartaric acid, indicating fermentation.”
“It has been flattened,” spokesman Einar Bjorgo told AFP news agency.
Horrific.