THE excavation of the Kasta Hill tomb in 2014 sparked excitement amongst history scholars and enthusiasts, as well as the world's media. One can only imagine the feeling of first seeing the bodies of the two stone sphinxes revealed upon the removal of the cyclopean blocks that closed the tomb in. The walls on either side of the entrance are obviously crafted with some thought, leading to the entrance. The two sphinxes sit on top of the lintel above the doorway.
So, why sphinxes? We'll get to that :)
First, let's take a closer look at the masonry on the entrance walls.
* Look carefully at the image of the entrance walls below and sketch the pattern of brickwork into your workbook.
So, why sphinxes? We'll get to that :)
First, let's take a closer look at the masonry on the entrance walls.
* Look carefully at the image of the entrance walls below and sketch the pattern of brickwork into your workbook.
Cyclopean blocks are removed from the tomb using a machine with a hydraulic arm.
Image: rogueclassicism.com
Image: rogueclassicism.com
* Look carefully at the finish of the brickwork. How would you describe it?
* Revisit your notes on typology dating. How can looking at the pattern and finish of the brickwork help us to date the monument? What could it reveal to us about the architect?
* Revisit your notes on typology dating. How can looking at the pattern and finish of the brickwork help us to date the monument? What could it reveal to us about the architect?
* Read the article, "Alexander the Great-Era Tomb Will Soon Reveal Its Secrets" linked here from Live Science.
* Answer the questions that follow.
QUESTIONS
1. What problems have the archaeologists faced in their excavation of the tomb?
2. At the time of writing the article, what does Megan Gannon report that the archaeologists had found?
3. Where has Megan Gannon sourced her information from? How credible is she?
4. Revisit your work on Internet Sources. To what extent is Live Science a credible source of information?
5. Use key words from the article that describe the discoveries at this point to try and find images that will complement your answer. For instance, you might type 'kasta hill architrave red black paint' into the search field. As you copy and paste these onto your document, make sure that you are also copy and pasting the web address where you have found the image.
* Answer the questions that follow.
QUESTIONS
1. What problems have the archaeologists faced in their excavation of the tomb?
2. At the time of writing the article, what does Megan Gannon report that the archaeologists had found?
3. Where has Megan Gannon sourced her information from? How credible is she?
4. Revisit your work on Internet Sources. To what extent is Live Science a credible source of information?
5. Use key words from the article that describe the discoveries at this point to try and find images that will complement your answer. For instance, you might type 'kasta hill architrave red black paint' into the search field. As you copy and paste these onto your document, make sure that you are also copy and pasting the web address where you have found the image.
Sphinxes
USUALLY when we think of a sphinx we think about the monumental creature that rests near the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. In the ancient world, however, the sphinx is a creature that we find in many places far from Egypt. In the ancient Greek world, including Macedonia, we see their use at the entrance of tombs that have been uncovered. It is easy to understand therefore that it must be linked in some way with the burial rites of these ancient people. The sources that follow refer to the Greek myth of the sphinx that we have. Perhaps if we understand the sources we might be able to understand the use of the sphinx statues and how they are positioned.
* Read the sources and answer the source questions that follow.
SOURCE A: Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 64. 4 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :
"A Sphinx, a beast of double form, had come to Thebes and was propounding a riddle to anyone who might be able to solve it, and many were being slain by her because of their inability to do so. And although a generous reward was offered to the man who should solve it, that he should marry Jokaste and be king of Thebes, yet no man was able to comprehend what was propounded except Oidipous, who alone solved the riddle. What had been propounded by the Sphinx was this: What is it that is at the same time a biped, a triped, and a quadraped? And while all the rest were perplexed, Oidipous declared that the animal proposed in the riddle was ‘man’, since as an infant he is a quadruped, when grown a biped, and in old age a triped, using, because of his infirmity, a staff. At this answer the Sphinx, in accordance with the oracle which the myth recounts, threw herself down a precipice."
SOURCE B: Aeschylus, Seven Against Thebes 539 ff (trans. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"[In the war of the Seven against Thebes, Parthenopaios threatens the Thebans with the image of the Sphinx embossed on his shield:] Nor does he take his stand at the gate unboasting, but wields our city's shame on his bronze-forged shield, his body's circular defence, on which the Sphinx who eats men raw is cleverly fastened with bolts, her body embossed and gleaming. She carries under her a single Kadmean [Theban], so that against this man chiefly our [the Thebans] missiles will be hurled . . . [But] he [Aktor, one of the defenders of Thebes] will not let in a man who carries on his hostile shield the image of the ravenous, detested beast. That beast outside his shield will blame the man who carries her into the gate, when she has taken a heavy beating beneath the city's walls."
SOURCE C: Aeschylus, Fragment 129 Sphinx (from Aristophanes, Frogs 1287 with Scholiast) (trans. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"The Sphinx, the watch-dog that presideth over evil days."
More ancient sources on the sphinx are found at Theoi Greek Mythology.
QUESTIONS
1. Use Source A to rewrite the riddle of the sphinx, including the answer, in your own words.
2. In what way is the riddle about the cycle of life?
3. How is death represented in Source A?
4. How is the sphinx shown to be threatening in Source B?
5. Aeschylus describes the sphinx as a 'watch-dog' in Source C. How could this relate to its use in tomb sculpture?
6. In your opinion, why has the sphinx been used in the Kasta Hill tomb? Refer to the sources in your response. You might also consider its functional purpose.
* Read the sources and answer the source questions that follow.
SOURCE A: Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 64. 4 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :
"A Sphinx, a beast of double form, had come to Thebes and was propounding a riddle to anyone who might be able to solve it, and many were being slain by her because of their inability to do so. And although a generous reward was offered to the man who should solve it, that he should marry Jokaste and be king of Thebes, yet no man was able to comprehend what was propounded except Oidipous, who alone solved the riddle. What had been propounded by the Sphinx was this: What is it that is at the same time a biped, a triped, and a quadraped? And while all the rest were perplexed, Oidipous declared that the animal proposed in the riddle was ‘man’, since as an infant he is a quadruped, when grown a biped, and in old age a triped, using, because of his infirmity, a staff. At this answer the Sphinx, in accordance with the oracle which the myth recounts, threw herself down a precipice."
SOURCE B: Aeschylus, Seven Against Thebes 539 ff (trans. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"[In the war of the Seven against Thebes, Parthenopaios threatens the Thebans with the image of the Sphinx embossed on his shield:] Nor does he take his stand at the gate unboasting, but wields our city's shame on his bronze-forged shield, his body's circular defence, on which the Sphinx who eats men raw is cleverly fastened with bolts, her body embossed and gleaming. She carries under her a single Kadmean [Theban], so that against this man chiefly our [the Thebans] missiles will be hurled . . . [But] he [Aktor, one of the defenders of Thebes] will not let in a man who carries on his hostile shield the image of the ravenous, detested beast. That beast outside his shield will blame the man who carries her into the gate, when she has taken a heavy beating beneath the city's walls."
SOURCE C: Aeschylus, Fragment 129 Sphinx (from Aristophanes, Frogs 1287 with Scholiast) (trans. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"The Sphinx, the watch-dog that presideth over evil days."
More ancient sources on the sphinx are found at Theoi Greek Mythology.
QUESTIONS
1. Use Source A to rewrite the riddle of the sphinx, including the answer, in your own words.
2. In what way is the riddle about the cycle of life?
3. How is death represented in Source A?
4. How is the sphinx shown to be threatening in Source B?
5. Aeschylus describes the sphinx as a 'watch-dog' in Source C. How could this relate to its use in tomb sculpture?
6. In your opinion, why has the sphinx been used in the Kasta Hill tomb? Refer to the sources in your response. You might also consider its functional purpose.
Look carefully at these images of the Kasta Hill sphinxes, and the remaining sources, and answer the question at the bottom of the page.
SOURCE D: Kasta Hill Sphinxes
SOURCE E: Kasta Hill Sphinx on the Right
The following images feature examples of Greek sphinxes found elsewhere. It is interesting to note the periods these have been dated to and the location where they were found.
SOURCE F: The Sphinx of Agost
SOURCE F: The Sphinx of Agost
SOURCE G: Extract from 'Ancient Greeks West and East' by G.R. Tsetskhladze
"It could be possible... to talk about pieces known for many years ago as having a clear Greek aspect, such as the sphinxes of Agost... We can accept, without too much difficulty, that those sculptures, and many others, were not made by Greek artists; however their references to Hellenic models, their monumentality, even their iconography, indicate that they are relatively close to the Greek world. This proximity, in my opinion, is not just limited to formal aspects but perhaps goes much deeper. In a recent study, Negueruela has shown how the techniques, and even the tools used in the execution of these sculptures, are very similar to those used by the Greeks (Negueruela 1990-91)..."
"It could be possible... to talk about pieces known for many years ago as having a clear Greek aspect, such as the sphinxes of Agost... We can accept, without too much difficulty, that those sculptures, and many others, were not made by Greek artists; however their references to Hellenic models, their monumentality, even their iconography, indicate that they are relatively close to the Greek world. This proximity, in my opinion, is not just limited to formal aspects but perhaps goes much deeper. In a recent study, Negueruela has shown how the techniques, and even the tools used in the execution of these sculptures, are very similar to those used by the Greeks (Negueruela 1990-91)..."
SOURCE H: Grave Stele
This is a plaster reconstruction of a grave stele that was set up as a burial marker, again, during the 6th Century BCE. It features an inscription that reads, "To dear Me[gakles], on his death, his father with his dear mother set [me] up as a monument." It was found in Attica, the region of Greece that includes Athens.
QUESTIONS
1. Look carefully at the Kasta Hill sphinxes. What does their design and workmanship suggest about the sculptor? What could it suggest about the occupant of the tomb? Why?
2. What reasons can you suggest for why an ancient Greek sphinx was found in Spain?
3. What are the similarities and differences between the Kasta Hill sphinxes in Sources D and E, and the Sphinx of Agost shown in Source F?
4. What are the clear Greek aspects that Tsetskhladze has identified in the Sphinx of Agost?
5. How can the grave stele in Source H be used as supporting evidence for suggestions about Greek burial with respect to Kasta Hill?
6. Consider Sources D - H. What suggestions could be made about the development and use of Sphinxes as tomb statues, and their importance to the ancient Greeks? Refer closely to the sources, and any other information you may have found, in your answer. You might also consider what the dating of these sources and their locations implies. Write about 300-400 words in your answer.
1. Look carefully at the Kasta Hill sphinxes. What does their design and workmanship suggest about the sculptor? What could it suggest about the occupant of the tomb? Why?
2. What reasons can you suggest for why an ancient Greek sphinx was found in Spain?
3. What are the similarities and differences between the Kasta Hill sphinxes in Sources D and E, and the Sphinx of Agost shown in Source F?
4. What are the clear Greek aspects that Tsetskhladze has identified in the Sphinx of Agost?
5. How can the grave stele in Source H be used as supporting evidence for suggestions about Greek burial with respect to Kasta Hill?
6. Consider Sources D - H. What suggestions could be made about the development and use of Sphinxes as tomb statues, and their importance to the ancient Greeks? Refer closely to the sources, and any other information you may have found, in your answer. You might also consider what the dating of these sources and their locations implies. Write about 300-400 words in your answer.
Pilasters & Epistyle
The archaeologists at Kasta Hill have also been interested in the support structure of the entrance to the tomb. Late in August, 2014, the Greek Ministry of Culture revealed the findings of the team. Most exciting is the preservation of some of the original paintwork of the time. A translation of part of the press release for 24 August, 2014 appears below. Although there are parts where the translation hasn't been made exactly, you get the general idea.
"...it was revealed the continuity of the facade of the entrance of the monument, with decoration similar to that of the side walls. That is, fresco white, extremely careful, that mimics the marble wall. (photo 1).
At the same time, disclosed under the capitals, marble pilasters doorframe, which overlap also of white fresco. (photo 2). A partial removal of earth, behind the sign, revealing the back side of the entrance, very carefully, the corresponding space. The fresco of the architraves are traces of red and black. The side and rear view of the Ionic capitals of the pilasters, overlapping of fresco is painted over with the same colors. (photo 3, 4).
They have begun to detect and the side walls of the vestibule. It is lined with Thassos marble and adorned the upper part with Ionic architrave on wavelet whose traces of black and red. (photo 5).
In addition to the excavation work carried out maintenance operations and mounting of decor, just come to light, by skilled conservators."
"...it was revealed the continuity of the facade of the entrance of the monument, with decoration similar to that of the side walls. That is, fresco white, extremely careful, that mimics the marble wall. (photo 1).
At the same time, disclosed under the capitals, marble pilasters doorframe, which overlap also of white fresco. (photo 2). A partial removal of earth, behind the sign, revealing the back side of the entrance, very carefully, the corresponding space. The fresco of the architraves are traces of red and black. The side and rear view of the Ionic capitals of the pilasters, overlapping of fresco is painted over with the same colors. (photo 3, 4).
They have begun to detect and the side walls of the vestibule. It is lined with Thassos marble and adorned the upper part with Ionic architrave on wavelet whose traces of black and red. (photo 5).
In addition to the excavation work carried out maintenance operations and mounting of decor, just come to light, by skilled conservators."
ACTIVITIES
* Find and write the meanings of any new terms from the text in your glossary.
* Open a new document that is titled accordingly. Locate, copy and paste a map that shows 4th Century Ionian Greek states together with Macedonia.
QUESTIONS
1. What could the discovery of Ionic capitals at Kasta Hill suggest about the nature of the occupant of the tomb?
2. What does the use of Thassos marble suggest about the process of constructing the tomb?
3. Look at the images below, showing elements of the pilasters, capitals and paintwork described in the press release. Describe the appearance of the entrance to the tomb in your own words.
4. Reread the article on Greek Death and Burial Rites from the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, linked here. What similarities exist between the features of tombs described in the article and what has been found at Kasta Hill?
* Find and write the meanings of any new terms from the text in your glossary.
* Open a new document that is titled accordingly. Locate, copy and paste a map that shows 4th Century Ionian Greek states together with Macedonia.
QUESTIONS
1. What could the discovery of Ionic capitals at Kasta Hill suggest about the nature of the occupant of the tomb?
2. What does the use of Thassos marble suggest about the process of constructing the tomb?
3. Look at the images below, showing elements of the pilasters, capitals and paintwork described in the press release. Describe the appearance of the entrance to the tomb in your own words.
4. Reread the article on Greek Death and Burial Rites from the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, linked here. What similarities exist between the features of tombs described in the article and what has been found at Kasta Hill?
Marble Mosaic Floor
The marble mosiac floor in the first chamber seems to be the least remarkable of the finds in the tomb. Look carefully at the images of this floor below.
QUESTIONS
1. Why does this mosaic floor seem unremarkable?
2. The discovery of this floor is still extremely valuable to historians. Why? What could historians discover by studying the floor of this chamber?
1. Why does this mosaic floor seem unremarkable?
2. The discovery of this floor is still extremely valuable to historians. Why? What could historians discover by studying the floor of this chamber?