The destruction of Palmyra and the capture of Zenobia by Aurelian in 273 C.E. have been dealt with extensively in the literature since at least Edward Gibbon's opus magnum "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" published in the last quarter of the 18th century. Palmyra however, was not totally obliterated after Aurelian. Realizing its strategic importance, Diocletian built a fortified camp in it twenty years later and Justinian restored its ramparts in the sixth century. The city was sacked and its inhabitants massacred in 745 C.E. at the hand of Marwan II the Ass (then a positive epithet to praise his patience and perseverance), the last Omayyad Caliph. Important works of fortification were performed in the twelfth century converting the temple of Bel into a virtual fortress were followed by the construction of a citadel on a neighboring hill under the Mameluke. The site had been gradually abandoned since until its rediscovery by European travelers and orientalists under the late Ottomans.
A magnificent mosaic pavement was discovered in Palmyra in 1940, its main part is currently preserved -thank heavens- at the National Museum of Damascus. It is a representation of the Legend of Cassiopeia, Queen of Abyssinia, and mother of beautiful Andromeda. Boasting that her beauty eclipsed that of all the Nereids (1), Cassiopeia angered the sea god Poseidon who decided to annihilate Abyssinia in revenge. A compromise was reached by offering fair Andromeda to be devoured by Cetus, the sea monster (or the Kraken, if we are to believe the Hollywood version in the by now classic "Clash of the Titans"). Andromeda was therefore tied up to a rock on a cliff facing the sea until she was miraculously rescued by Perseus, a deus ex machina who managed to transform the beast into stone by exposing him to the deadly stare of Medusa's severed head.
This 3rd century C.E. mosaic displays a nude Cassiopeia discarding her mantle before Poseidon, her rivals appearing perplexed at her feet. The art is not at all compatible with the typically oriental and Parthian models prevalent in Palmyra. It rather evokes Antioch's workshops were it was probably manufactured.
(1) Nereid: nymph daughters of the sea god Nereus.
A magnificent mosaic pavement was discovered in Palmyra in 1940, its main part is currently preserved -thank heavens- at the National Museum of Damascus. It is a representation of the Legend of Cassiopeia, Queen of Abyssinia, and mother of beautiful Andromeda. Boasting that her beauty eclipsed that of all the Nereids (1), Cassiopeia angered the sea god Poseidon who decided to annihilate Abyssinia in revenge. A compromise was reached by offering fair Andromeda to be devoured by Cetus, the sea monster (or the Kraken, if we are to believe the Hollywood version in the by now classic "Clash of the Titans"). Andromeda was therefore tied up to a rock on a cliff facing the sea until she was miraculously rescued by Perseus, a deus ex machina who managed to transform the beast into stone by exposing him to the deadly stare of Medusa's severed head.
This 3rd century C.E. mosaic displays a nude Cassiopeia discarding her mantle before Poseidon, her rivals appearing perplexed at her feet. The art is not at all compatible with the typically oriental and Parthian models prevalent in Palmyra. It rather evokes Antioch's workshops were it was probably manufactured.
(1) Nereid: nymph daughters of the sea god Nereus.
Gérard Degeorge
Syrie
Art, Histoire, Architecture
Hermann, éditeurs des sciences et des arts
1983
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