SCIENCE and RELIGION agree on one thing. There is a glue that holds all things together. But, whose report will you believe?
Whether you know it or not you are smack in the middle of a BATTLE. It is the most important battle that will ever be. It is the Battle for YOUR MIND HEART AND SOUL. It is a spiritual battle and it is won in the SPIRIT. MAN MADE WEAPONS OF WAREFARE will not win this battle.
It has been raging for quite some time now. ALL of us are weary and under the influence of forces we do not fully understand. However, this BATTLE is the final battle and it has a time limit. PRAISE BE TO GOD! We are nearing the end. We cannot afford to allow ourselves to succumb to our weaknesses. We must hang strong and tough. We must summon the spiritual strength that is deep within us. We have the precious Holy Spirit available to us who leads us, guides us, comforts us and EMPOWERS US… if we are under the blood of the LAMB OF GOD and filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. We also have marvelous, powerful, gigantic Angels that surround us. We cannot see them. We cannot command them. But, we can pray for their continued protection and THANK GOD for all that they do on our behalf, most of which occurs without our even being aware.
I hope that you enjoy this post and that you spend time in it. GLEAN all that you can. Ask GOD to reveal to you what YOU NEED. ALL BELIEVERS are in this TOGETHER. WE ARE ONE. We are NOT ONE WITH THE WORLD. PAGANISM HAS NOT FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FAITH OF GOD. PAGANS, anyone who does not believe the WORD OF GOD, ARE NOT CHILDREN OF GOD!
Scientists are always talking down to the rest of us and making statements as if they were proven facts, when they NEVER are proven. They are only theories. They don’t know what they are doing. They are only experimenting, playing with our money, our resources, our lives and our WORLD. They don’t even care if they kill all of us or even destroy the planet. They are driven to press forward no matter what. They don’t even realize that they themselves are possessed of demons who are driving them on.
We will start by looking at the scientific work of recent years, beginning with GENETIC MODIFICATION.
NIDR scientists led the field of connective tissue research during the 1960s and 1970s. In February 1971, a team led by Dr. George Martin announced the discovery of soluble collagen, or procollagen, which gives rise to collagen, the protein forming skin, bone, and connective tissue in the entire human body.
In 1979, intramural scientist Pamela Gehron Robey, along with Max Planck researcher Rupert Timpl, reported the discovery of laminin, a glycoprotein found in the basement membranes that make up most structures in the body. Subsequent work by NIDR scientists determined that laminins promote cell adhesion and nerve growth. Read the groundbreaking paper here.
GENETIC MANIPULATION Open Mind Series 1983
Genetic Manipulation, He tells us about the beginnings of the technology/research and how E-coli is the base they use for their experimentation.
E-coli is the organism they have been using for Genetic Manipulation. The scientists were concerned that this ubiquitous (present, appearing, or found everywhere) bacteria might if it’s own machinery were altered, escape the lab and acquire disease making capacity that it did not have before and produce some kind of epidemic.? Do you understand that they have been playing around with the Ecoli vaccine for “35 YEARS” experimenting with creating new bacteria for weaponization?
The first description of what would later be called CRISPR is from Yoshizumi Ishino and his colleaguesin 1987. The first researcher to characterize what is now called a CRISPR locus was Francisco Mojica, reported in 1993. Britannica
Discovery of CRISPR and its function 1993 – 2005 CRISPR CAS9 technology was discovered by Jennifer Doudna, Emmanuelle Charpentier, and colleagues in 2012. The discovery of the CRISPR-Cas microbial adaptive immune system and its ongoing development into a genome editing tool represents the work of many scientists from around the world. View: CRISPR Timeline
evoCAST A system that can add an entire gene to the genome uses enzymes called transposases (yellow, blue, purple; artist’s impression) to alter DNA (red, green). Credit: Laguna Design/Science Photo Library
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An innovative genome-editing tool promises to do what original CRISPR systems have struggled to achieve:insert entire genes, precisely and efficiently, into human DNA.
UK first to approve CRISPR treatment for diseases: what you need to know
Described today in Science1, the method could pave the way for gene-correction therapies that would be given once, and work regardless of the specific mutation causing an individual’s disease. It could also accelerate the development of engineered cell therapies for cancerand simplify the creation of genetic models for research.
“It could really be a big part of the future,” says study co-author David Liu, a chemical biologist at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
CRISPR offers more control than viral carriers do, but typically requires the cutting of DNA— raising the chances of unwanted mutations and incomplete repair — or the designing of custom templates for each mutation, limiting its scalability.
The new system circumvents both problems by introducing full-length genes at targeted sites in a single step, without cutting DNA or needing bespoke designs. Developed by Liu, biochemist Samuel Sternberg at Columbia University in New York City and their colleagues, the method uses a bacterial enzyme complex called a CRISPR-associated transposase, or CAST.
Transposases are enzymes that power the movement of ‘jumping genes’— ‘selfish’ bits of DNA that hop around the genome to propagate themselves.Researchers have already repurposed CAST systems to shuffle large chunks of genetic material in bacterial cells. But in human and other mammalian cells, all previously reported versions of CAST have struggled with low efficiency.
Evolving enzymes
To overcome these barriers, Liu and Sternberg turned to directed evolution, a technique that harnesses the power of Darwinian selection in the laboratory. They put the key genes encoding the components of a CAST system into a bacteriophage, a virus that infects bacteria. Their set-up ensured that such viruses with the most effective versions of CAST — those that integrated DNA into the genome quickly and accurately — would grow best.
Then, they let evolution run its course.
CRISPR cancer trial success paves the way for personalized treatments
After hundreds of viral generations, and rational engineering of some CAST components, the researchers produced an optimized version of the enzyme complex. This had 21 small changes across five proteins that contribute to the CAST architecture — an achievement that pushes the limits of protein design, notes Makoto Saito, a bioengineer at RIKEN in Wakō, Japan. “This is crazy directed evolution!” he says.
The resulting complex, termed evoCAST, demonstrated an insertion efficiency of up to 30% across multiple genomic sites— a more than 400-fold improvement over the non-evolved original.
In laboratory tests, evoCAST successfully integrated segments of more than 10,000 nucleotides,long enough to deliver entire genes and their control elements.It worked across a variety of human cell types, targeting genomic “safe harbour” sitesthat can accommodate new DNA without disrupting cellular functions and installing genetic payloads at the natural locations of multiple disease-related genes.
Notably, evoCAST delivers its genetic cargo in a single enzymatic step, without creating double-stranded breaks in the genome.
Nov 5, 2020 · Many physicists subscribe to a set of theories about the sub-atomic universe and its behaviors, known as the Standard Model, and — if I understand the Standard Model correctly — an atom’s nucleus is thought to consist of positively-charged protons and non-charged neutrons. Because a positively-charged particle will repel another positively-charged particle (the way the north pole of a magnet repels the north pole of another magnet) — scientists had to come up with a theory for how a bunch of positively-charged protons could hang tightly together in an atom’s nucleus… so they theorized some ghostly particles called “gluons”… and endowed them with “zero mass” and the amazing power to glue an atom’s nucleus together… but also theorized that these ‘particles’ have no power, and perhaps no existence whatsoever, outside of the nucleus.
The world’s most powerful particle accelerator that discovered the “God particle” is now hunting for what physicists call the ”glue” that holds our solar system, galaxies, and clusters of galaxies together — dark matter.
After remaining shut for over three years, the cathedral of physics is now open and ‘pilgrims’ are flocking to it from the world over
There’s something in the universe that seems to hold everything together, a dark matter like glue. We can’t see it, and yet it’s got to be out there, right?
Scientists say that the reason we are unable to see or detect this invisible matter is that it does not interact with electromagnetic forces— things like visible light, X-ray or radio waves…
We cannot see dark matter, like we see planets and stars, but we may be able to see the effects of it because of the way it interacts with other things in the universe. (Image credit: FGS team/CSA/NASA)
Written by Sushmitha Ramakrishnan (at CERN, Geneva)
Of the four fundamental forces in physics, the strong nuclear force, or the strong force for short, is the glue that holds the universe as we know it together.
A model of the atom with a tightly bound nucleus held together by the strong nuclear force.
The strong nuclear force is easily the most powerful of the four fundamental forces in the standard model of physics, but it’s also one that none of us will ever ‘feel’, despite it being foundational to the universe as we know it.
Like the other three fundamental forces in nature (the weak nuclear force, the electromagnetic force, and gravity), the strong nuclear force is an essential component of how the universe is shaped and composed, and it’s been a part of the universe longer than matter itself.
Suppose you’ve ever looked at an atomic model with a nucleus of more than a single proton. In that case, you might have asked yourself how more than one positively charged proton in a nucleus could clump together when two positive electromagnetic charges should repel each other. You definitely aren’t alone in asking.
If we want a universe with elements other than hydrogen, this quintessential problem of a positively charged nucleus needs to be resolved, and the strong nuclear force is how the universe does so, though it’s only been in the past century that we’ve come to recognize its existence and its importance.
What is the strong nuclear force?
The strong nuclear force is one of the four fundamental forces in the Standard Model of particle physics, and it is responsible for the stability of the atomic nucleus. It holds together the quarks that make up protons and neutrons and bind together the atomic nucleus, allowing elements more complex than primordial hydrogen to form.
As everyone knows, electromagnetism is responsible for opposite electric charges attracting one another but it is also what drives like charges apart,often with considerable energy. To overcome the force of electromagnetism pushing protons apart in the atomic nucleus, there needs to be an even stronger force binding them together, which is what the strong nuclear force does.
At its most basic level, matter is composed of elementary particles, such as quarks and leptons. Quarks are the building blocks of protons and neutrons, which are the building blocks of atomic nuclei. The strong nuclear force is responsible for holding these particles together, allowing them to form the structures that make up the matter around us.
The strong nuclear force is carried by particles called gluons,which interact with the quarks within the nucleons.The interaction between gluons and quarks is what gives protons and neutrons their mass, and allows them to bind together to form atomic nuclei.
Without the strong nuclear force, the protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei would repel each other due to their positive charges, and the nuclei would break apart. This would prevent the formation of atoms, and so the strong force is essential to the formation of all matter as we know it.
What is the residual strong force?
While the strong nuclear force is mainly a function of the interactions between quarks inside a nucleon (a proton or neutron), the extent of its range is somewhat greater than the radius of a proton or neutron. Again, this can’t be emphasized enough, it is a very strong force — about 1039 times stronger than the force of gravity— and it’s this residual force that is responsible for holding the nucleus of an atom together despite the repulsive forces between the positively charged protons.
The strong residual force has several important characteristics. Firstly, it is a charge-independent force, which means that it is not affected by the electric charge of the nucleons. This is in contrast to the electromagnetic force, which is responsible for the interaction between charged particles and is affected by the electric charge of the particles.
Second, the strong residual force has a spin-dependent component,meaning that it depends on the orientation of the spins of the nucleons. Nucleons with aligned spins experience a stronger attractive force than those with anti-aligned spins. This is known as the spin-spin interaction, and it is responsible for the magnetic properties of atomic nuclei.
Finally, the strong residual force is a complex force that involves the exchange of mesons, which are particles made up of quarks and anti-quarks.The exchange of mesons creates a field that attracts nucleons toward each other. The exchange of different types of mesons gives rise to different types of nuclear forces, which are characterized by their range and strength.
The strong residual force is responsible for the stability of atomic nuclei, as it holds the protons and neutrons together despite the repulsive electromagnetic forces between the protons. It also plays a crucial role in nuclear reactions, such as fusion and fission,and in the behavior of matter in extreme conditions, such as in the core of stars and in nuclear explosions.
What did scientists think held matter together before the strong nuclear force was proposed?
Following this discovery, Niels Bohr proposed the first widely-accepted model of the atom in 1913. His model, known as the Bohr model, suggested that electrons orbited the nucleus at fixed distances, like planets orbiting the sun. This model was successful in explaining many properties of atoms, but it did not explain what held the nucleus together.
Who discovered the strong nuclear force?
Once Bohr’s model of the atom gained widespread support, it became obvious that there had to be some countervailing force within the nucleus strong enough to keep the positively charged protons stable. In the 1930s, scientists proposed the idea of a new fundamental force that could explain the stability of atomic nuclei, calling it the “strong nuclear force” because it was thought to be stronger than the electromagnetic force, which was the only other known fundamental nuclear force at the time.
Though the idea of the strong nuclear force was in the scientific zeitgeist of the 1930s and 1040s, the first real theory of the strong nuclear force was proposed by Hideki Yukawa in 1935 to explain the force that held protons and neutrons together in the nucleus. He proposed that the force was transmitted by a new particle, which he called the “meson.”The meson was later found to be a type of particle called a “pion.”
Yukawa’s theory was successful in explaining the stability of atomic nuclei, but it was later found that the pion did not have the properties required to transmit the strong nuclear force.In the 1970s, scientists developed a new theory of the strong nuclear force based on the principles of quantum chromodynamics, which described the interactions between quarks and gluons. This theory is the one currently accepted by the scientific community.
Fundamental particles and the strong force
A first of its kind Tetraquark, discovered at CERN in 2020 CERN
Another key responsibility of the strong nuclear force is binding together quarks into protons and neutrons. The strong force is actually a mediated exchange of particles called gluons between the quarks that make up the proton and neutron.
Quarks are never found in isolation, as the strong nuclear force is so strong that the quarks are always bound together in combinations to form particles such as protons and neutrons. The gluons responsible for producing the strong nuclear force carry a type of charge called color charge, which comes in three values or types: red, green, and blue. Quarks also have color charge, and they can have one of these three color values.
Quarks come in different color values: red, blue, and green. In order to form a bound state, such as a proton or neutron, quarks must combine in such a way that the overall color charge is “colorless”. This means that if you add up the colors of all the quarks in the particle, the result is ‘white’ (which is equivalent to no color).
The way this works is that quarks of different colors attract each other while quarks of the same color repel each other. For example, a red quark might be attracted to a blue quark, but it would be repelled by another red quark. This attraction and repulsion is mediated by the exchange of gluons between the quarks.
The strong force is very powerful, but it only acts over very short distances. This is why quarks can only exist within particles that are very small, such as protons and neutrons. If you try to separate quarks by pulling them apart, the energy you’d need to overcome the strong force becomes so great that new quarks are created from the energy, forming new particles instead of individual quarks (a phenomenon known as “confinement“).
How did the strong nuclear force form?
The strong nuclear force is thought to have emerged during the first few moments after the Big Bang,when the universe was still in a hot, dense, high-energy state.
During these first few moments of the early universe, all four fundamental forces (gravity, electromagnetism, weak force, and strong force) were thought to be unified into a single force, which is thought to have existed at extremely high temperatures and energies. As the universe expanded and cooled, this force gradually devolved into the different forces we see today.
Once gravity devolved into a distinct force, the strong nuclear force became distinct shortly after once the temperature had cooled to around 1028 Kelvin.At this temperature, it is believed that the universe was filled with a primordial soup of quarks and gluons, which would quickly go on to become the building blocks of protons and neutrons.
What was the role of the strong nuclear force in the early universe?
The strong nuclear force might have had a profound impact on the evolution of cosmic expansion
In the early universe, the strong force was much stronger than the other forces, which is why it was able to act over such short distances and bind quarks together to form protons and neutrons. As the universe continued to expand and cool, the strong force weakened, and the other forces began to play a larger role in the behavior of particles, but many of these early interactions had lasting repercussions on the universe we see today long after those interactions stopped.
During the quark soup stage of the universe, a process known as nucleosynthesis formed the lighter elements like hydrogen, helium, and lithium.
Later, during the period of cosmic inflation, the universe underwent a rapid expansion, during which the strong force played a crucial role in determining the distribution of matter in the universe. The fluctuations in the density of matter, caused by the random variations in the strength of the strong force, were the seeds that, after billions of years of evolution and expansions, gave rise to the large-scale structure of the universe, including galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and superclusters.
Which is stronger, the strong nuclear force or electromagnetism?
The strong nuclear force is stronger than electromagnetism. In fact, the strong nuclear force is the strongest of the four fundamental forces of nature, hence the name.
To give you an idea of just how much stronger the strong nuclear force is than electromagnetism, consider this: the strong nuclear force is estimated to be about 1038 times stronger than electromagnetism. This means that the forces that hold atomic nuclei together are billions of times stronger than the forces that hold atoms together through their electrons and electric charges.
The reason for this vast difference in strength is due to the properties of the particles that are involved. Electromagnetism is carried by photons, which have no mass and only interact with charged particles. In contrast, the strong nuclear force is carried by gluons, which are themselves charged and interact with other charged particles, as well as with quarks, the building blocks of protons and neutrons.
What evidence do we have for the strong nuclear force?
The strong nuclear force is so powerful that it keeps the quarks and nucleons affected by it packed tight enough that pretty much only advanced particle accelerators can break these bonds.So how do we even know that a strong nuclear force exists? Well, there are several major lines of evidence for the existence of the strong nuclear force, so even though we’ll never be able to glean a gluon on its own, there’s a lot that we can deduce from observation and experimentation.
First, one of the strongest pieces of evidence for the strong nuclear force is the binding energy of atomic nuclei. The energy required to break apart the nucleus of an atom into its constituent protons and neutrons is much larger than the energy required to break apart the atoms themselves.
Scientists have also conducted scattering experiments using high-energy particles to study the structure of atomic nuclei. By analyzing the way these particles scatter off of atomic nuclei, physicists can infer the presence and strength of the strong force.
The original theory of the strong force proposed by Yukawa in the 1930s involved the exchange of particles called mesons between nucleons (protons and neutrons) in generating the attractive force that holds the nucleus together. While this theory was later found to be incomplete, it provided a foundation for the development of the modern understanding of the strong force.
The strong force is also responsible for quark confinement, has been observed in high-energy experiments, and is a fundamental prediction of the theory of the strong force.
Can we use the strong nuclear force?
The nuclear fusion reaction, which generates energy from the strong nuclear force
Like all the fundamental forces, we’ve been able to put the strong nuclear force to use in technology and scientific research.
Since the strong nuclear force is what binds together the atomic nucleus and the hadrons within it, it is likewise responsible for the energy produced in nuclear reactions, such as nuclear fusion and fission.
Nuclear fusion, the energy source for stars like our sun, is the process where atomic nuclei combine to form elements heavier than hydrogen, usually releasing energy in the process if the resulting element is lighter than iron. While we often talk about nuclear fusion fusing two hydrogen atoms into a single helium atom, what is actually happening is the fusion of two hydrogen isotopes containing at least one or two neutrons. In the fusion process, one of these neutrons gets pushed out of the resulting nucleus, and the energy from the strong nuclear force that kept it bound to the nucleus is released as the neutron breaks free.
Nuclear fission, meanwhile, is the process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei. This releases a large amount of energy in the process through a similar means. Free neutrons are shot at an atomic nucleus which then disrupts the nucleus to form two or more smaller but more stable nuclei, releasing the energy from the strong nuclear force that kept the two or more nuclei together as a single unit. This is the process used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity and in nuclear weapons like those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945.
The Strong Nuclear Force also plays a role in the behavior of particles in particle accelerators, where particles are accelerated to near the speed of light and collide with other particles. These collisions can produce new particles, allowing physicists to study the fundamental properties of matter and energy.
The mystery of the strong nuclear force
While our understanding of the strong nuclear force has advanced significantly over the years, there are still many open questions that remain unresolved and areas of ongoing research.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the strong nuclear force is its ability to confine quarks and gluons within hadrons, such as protons and neutrons. However, the mechanism behind this confinement is not well understood and remains an active area of research.
While scientists have made significant progress in studying quark-gluon plasma, the free-floating quark soup present after the Big Bang, there is still much we don’t know about this state of matter. For example, the precise mechanisms behind its formation, its properties at different energy densities, and its role in the early universe are all still being actively studied.
While the strong nuclear force is well understood at low energies, its behavior at very high energies is still not well understood. This is particularly important for understanding the behavior of protons and other hadrons in high-energy collisions and is an active area of research at facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider.
What’s more, while the standard model of particle physics provides a framework for understanding the strong nuclear force, it is known to be incomplete, and there may be additional particles or forces that are not yet understood. Understanding the behavior of the strong nuclear force in the context of a more complete theory of physics is an important goal for many physicists.
Finally, while the strong nuclear force is not directly involved in the behavior of dark matter, its properties could have important implications for our understanding of this mysterious substance.For example, the behavior of dark matter particles in the early universe could be influenced by the strong nuclear force, and understanding this could shed light on the nature of dark matter.
Overall, while we have made significant progress in understanding the strong nuclear force, there is still much we don’t know, and ongoing research in this area is crucial for advancing our understanding of the universe at its most fundamental level.
Mar 17, 2025 · The Higgs Boson, also called the “God Particle,” is like the secret glue holding the universe together!Scientists first theorized it decades ago, but it wasn’t actually discovered until 2012…
RESTORED This series of articles deals with the “science” and technology known as Genetic Manipulation. The first video is very informative. It was presented at an Open Mind Conference, on January 10, 1983. It was hosted by a gentleman named Richard Heffner and is comprised of his interview with a gentleman named Lewis Thomas, Chancellor … Click Here to Read More
They are firing up the earth shakers! CERN and friends are back online! FASTER, STRONGER, FIERCER. Get ready for losts of peculiar happenings worldwide. There is no telling what they are really up to, all we can go by is what they tell us. Bear in mind that these people ALL LIVE BY FUNDING. They … Click Here to Read More
Originally Posted 1/30/16; Updated 8/2018 “(Magick’s) fundamental conception is identical with that of modern science; underlying the whole system is a faith…” Aleister Crowley Magick From Thelemapedia Belief in various magical practices has waxed and waned in European and Western history, under pressure from either organized monotheistic religions or from skepticism about the reality of magic, … Click Here to Read More
I apologize for the length of this post. The subject matter is vital to our immediate situation. I hope you can find the time to look over the entire post and digest it. These next four posts that I have been working on are all interrelated and all significantly related to what is happening in … Click Here to Read More
The WORD of GOD is a precious gift, a love letter from our Creator. EVERYTHING that we need to know is in there. Why? Because God wanted us to take comfort in KNOWING. Knowing that He is in Control, in KNOWING that he sees all and Knows all, in Knowing that he has our back, … Click Here to Read More
More and more information, more and more revelation, more and more understanding is being poured out on God’s people everyday. Things are happening very fast and we need this information. We are walking in the GREAT DECEPTION. Only those who harken to the voice of God will avoid falling under the spell of the Fallen. … Click Here to Read More
Photo Credit UPDATES ADDED 4/7/23 EUdict dictionary: Latin – English translate Italian detected – Concedere to English – grant What does numquam mean in Latin? – mix2.wordhippo.com What does numquam mean in Latin? English Translation. never. More meanings for numquam. never adverb. nunquam, nusquam, nequando. concedere (Latin, Italian): meaning, definition – WordSense concedere ( Italian) Origin & history From Latin concēdere, present … Click Here to Read More
The Bards of the Druids/MAGI were the original masters of the MAGICK of theater. They would weave the tales of the heroes of old and of their day. They did not ever write anything down. They were the keepers of what they called truth and history. The people were only told what the Druids wanted … Click Here to Read More
There truly is NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN. All the knowledge that we think we have acquired out of our own labour, has all been revealed in the past. Everything is spiritually based and religious in its core. All those who rant and rave against faith in GOD, are ALL worshiping other gods, even those … Click Here to Read More
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MAGIC/WITCHCRAFT/SORCERY was given to humanity by the Fallen Angels. It has been practiced continually, without interruption by those who meticulously guard the secrets of the craft working in cover of darkness, occulted from the world. They work with and are protected by the Fallen and their progeny. BUT they cannot hide from GOD. HE KNOWS ALL, SEES ALL, AND CONTROLS ALL THINGS.
There are at least two times in the WORD of GOD that we are told that all things are held together by CHRIST. This was the plan of GOD for our salvation before the world was even created. GOD KNEW exactly what was going to happen and he already had a plan set for our redemption. LAMININ was holding all things together from the beginning. CHRIST was our redeemer from the beginning. The Fallen cannot figure out how it works even though they have identified the molecule. They keep trying to find a way to circumvent it. BUT GOD!!! My favorite phrase. Two short words that pack a powerful punch. BUT GOD. GOD is in control and HE NEVER FAILS!
Hebrews
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last daysspoken unto us by his Son,whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Colossians 1
We/I do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
I don’t know if you have noticed as I have, that lately the word Colossal has been popping up in the NEWS a lot. That is not by mistake or coincidence. You may wonder How or Why I have seemingly wandered off topic as you view the rest of this post. I was wondering that myself as the post developed. But, I learned a long time ago to TRUST GOD/The HOLY SPIRIT, who directs our path. What may seem to be unrelated now will be clear by the end.
Colossae was a city in Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey), about 100 mile east of Ephesus in the region of the 7 churches of Rev. 1–3. The city lay alongside the Lycus River, not far from where it flowed into the Maender River. The Lycus Valley narrowed at Colossae to a width of about two miles, and Mt. Cadmus rose 8,000 feet above the city. spacer
Now, whenever you see a name that begins with Ly remember it is the root of the word Lycanthropy and King Lycon was the first Werewolf.
King Lycaon, in Greek mythology, a legendary king of Arcadia. Traditionally, he was an impious and cruel king who tried to trick Zeus, the king of the gods, into eating human flesh.The god was not deceived and in wrath devastated the earth with Deucalian’s flood, according to Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book I. Lycaon himself was turned into a wolf.
The story of Lycaon was apparently told in order to explain an extraordinary ceremony, the Lycaea, held in honour of Zeus Lycaeus at Mount Lycaeus. According to Plato (Republic, Book VIII), this ceremony was believed to involve human sacrifice and lycanthropy (assuming the form of a wolf). The Greek traveler Pausanias implies that the rite was still practiced in the 2nd century ad.
1580s, a form of madness (described by ancient writers) in which the afflicted thought he was a wolf, from Greek lykanthropia, from lykanthropos“wolf-man,”from lykos “wolf” (see wolf (n.)) + anthrōpos “man” (from PIE root *ner- (2) “man”). Applied to actual transformations of persons (especially witches) into wolves since 1830 (see werewolf).
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Colossae was a thriving city in the fifth century B.C.when the Persian king Xerxes (Ahasuerus, cf.Esth. 1:1) marched through the region. Black wool and dyes (made from the nearby chalk deposits) were important products. In addition, the city was situated at the junction of the main north-south and east-west trade routes (At the CROSSROADS, always a place of high levels of spiritual activity). By Paul’s day, however, the main road had been rerouted through nearby Laodicea,thus bypassing Colossae and leading to its decline and the rise of the neighboring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Although Colossae’s population was mainly Gentile, there was a large Jewish settlement dating from the days of Antiochus the Great (223–187 B.C.). Colossae’s mixed population of Jews and Gentiles manifested itself both in the composition of the church and in the heresy that plagued it,which contained elements of both Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism.
I hope that you are paying attention to this article, because you should be able easily to recognize the same things happening in our world today. In the WHOLE WORLD, not just Colossae. This area of the world is where most crazy heresies crept into the FAITH.
The church at Colossae began during Paul’s 3-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19). Its founder was not Paul, who had never been there (Colossians 2:1); but Epaphras (Colossians 1:5-7), who apparently was saved during a visit to Ephesus, then likely started the church in Colossae when he returned home. Several years after the Colossian church was founded, a dangerous heresy arose to threaten it—one not identified with any particular historical system.It contained elements of what later became known as Gnosticism: that God is good, but matter is evil, that Jesus Christ was merely one of a series of emanations descending from God and being less than God (a belief that led them to deny His true humanity), and that a secret, higher knowledge above Scripture was necessary for enlightenment and salvation. The Colossian heresy also embraced aspects of Jewish legalism, e.g., the necessity of circumcision for salvation, observance of the ceremonial rituals of the OT law (dietary laws, festivals, Sabbaths), and rigid asceticism.It also called for the worship of angels and mystical experience. Epaphras was so concerned about this heresy that he made the long journey from Colossae to Rome (Colossians 4:12, 13), where Paul was a prisoner.
1640s, from ascetic (adj.) + -ism. Sometimes also ascetism (1830).Asceticism goes beyond austerity, being more manifestly excessive and more clearly delighting in self-mortification as a good in itself ; it also generally includes somewhat of the disposition to retire from the world.
1640s, “practicing rigorous self-denial as a religious exercise,”from Latinized form of Greek asketikos“rigorously self-disciplined, laborious,”from asketēs “monk, hermit,” earlier “skilled worker, one who practices an art or trade,” especially “athlete, one in training for the arena,” from askein “to exercise, train,” especially “to train for athletic competition, practice gymnastics, exercise,” perhaps originally “to fashion material, embellish or refine material.”The Greek word was applied by the stoics to the controlling of the appetites and passions as the path to virtue and was picked up from them by the early Christians. The figurative sense of “unduly strict or austere”also is from 1640s
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The Letter to Colossians was written from prison in Rome (Acts 28:16–31) sometime between A.D. 60–62 and is, therefore, referred to as a Prison Epistle (along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon). He wrote this letter to warn the Colossians against the heresy they faced.
Colossae was located 120 miles east of Ephesus in the Lycus River Valley in ancient Phrygia, part of the Roman territory of Asia Minor. It was one of a triad of cities in the area (the other two being Laodicea and Hierapolis), resting at the foot of Mount Cadmus. Its biblical significance lies in the fact that the book of Colossians was addressed to the church here (Col 1:2) and that Philemon lived in this city.
What is the price of Christianity?What is expected of those who chose to follow Christ? What are the responsibilities of the Church? The towns of the Lycus Vally numbered three and at one time all were of equal importance, Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colosse. At the time of this writing of Paul they were part of the Roman province of Asia. I add this to aid in painting a picture oftime, place and circumstance. As people of the faith we must acknowledge that things change and we will face things in our day that continue to challenge the church, it’s teachings and the authority of God’s word. We know a great deal of history about this area and in Revelation 3:17, John wrote that Laodicea was rich and in need of nothing. It is important to note that these lands between the River Lycus, for all the natural problems of nature, were capable of supporting three very thriving industries. The area was recognized as the greatest center of the woolen industry in the world.Laodicea was famous for its production of garments of the finest quality, as well as dyeing of cloth, the town of Colossae was famous for this type of industry.Hierapolis became a trade center and was famous for its spa. You could say that Laodicea was like a county seat of the area, the political center of the area. Colosse in its day was as great as the others, it controlled the roads to the mountain passes (also very spiritualy active areas both the mountains and the passes/gateways). As great as these cities were in time they passed away and even though there are still discernible ruins of the once great buildings of two of these great cities not even a stone remains to mark the possible location of Colossae. It holds a dubious place in biblical history as being the most unimportant town Paul ever wrote a letter to. Our reason of interest in this chapter in Colossians and this town of Colosse isthe dispute that rose there about this developing heresy, which left unchecked could be the ruination of the Christian faith.
This is a church that Paul had not himself founded and he had never visited it. While history shows that this is true, there is no doubt that the founding of the church was his doing and on his instructions. While Paul was in Ephesus for three years the whole province of Asia was evangelized, both Greek and Jew had heard the word. Our focus today, Colosse was only 100 miles from Ephesus and thus during that campaign of expansion the Colossian church was founded. I have decided to cover as much of this book as possible and in no particular order, there being only four chapters. To start with I share with you from the Concise Commentary written by Matthew Henry, the book overview.
This epistle was sent because of some difficulties which arose among the Colossians, probably from false teachers, in consequence of which they sent to the apostle. The scope of the epistle is to show, that all hope of man’s redemption is founded on Christ, in whom alone are all complete fulness, perfections, and sufficiency.The Colossians are cautioned against the devices of judaizing teachers, and also against the notions of carnal wisdom, and human inventions and traditions, as not consistent with full reliance on Christ. In the first two chapters the apostle tells them what they must believe, and in the two last what they must do; the doctrine of faith, and the precepts of life for salvation.
Verses 15-23 in chapter 1 are a testimonial to the adequacy of Jesus Christ. They are simply the reason for being, the Alpha and the Omega, the completeness of all things.
-He is the head of the Church
-He is the beginning… the first born from the dead
-He is supreme in all things
-We are reconciled to Him because of the blood shed on the cross.
Paul tells them they must remain grounded and strong in the faith, not forgetting the hope of the gospel which you have heard and is being proclaimed to every creature under the heaven. It is a sure fact that Christians are a rather lazy lot in defense of the faith. It might be a bit more kinder to simply say that most of our minds only think as much as they have to. Whatever was happening there had a big enough footprint to get their attention and it could well be as in other situations that this opposition to the faith, the false teachings and such were doing damage to the spiritual health of the Church. All of us have a habit of not appreciating what we have till we see it slipping away. So it is with the Colossians at this Church. They are being confronted with some dangerous heresy, which has led them to realize the riches of orthodoxy. One of the wonderful things about Christianity is that with and through the Holy Spirit it can produce new riches to meet a new situation. One of the players in these cases of false teachings were the Gnostics. We have a similar problem in the church today, granted there are some differences between now and then but they are intended to weaken the word.These Gnostics which means the intellectual ones, were not happy with the simplicity of Christianity. They would much more prefer it to be a philosophy.It is important to understand that in that day other philosophies were very popular at that time. See the picture?…Are we not as the Church constantly seeking other ways that weaken the authority of God’s will and doing so by accepting certain heresies?
Paul sets about to instruct the people of the church at Colosse three brief instructions for the lives of Christians in the world.
Christians should behave themselves with wisdom and tact when interacting with those outside the church. We must learn when to or not to speak to others about their behavior or beliefs, never assuming an attitude of superiority or severely criticizing them. People will not be bullied or argued into Christianity. A much more effective approach is so very simple. We must let our lives be an example, we must show Christ to others in our daily lives and treatment of all people, to the point they too would desire to be such an example.
This next one is short and to the point, an action verb if you will…seize…every opportunity to work for Christ and serve others daily. Every day life presents the opportunity to witness for Christ but the truth is many do not seize the time and the natural occurrences that everyday life offers. God’s people should always be on the lookout for these opportunities to serve and witness.
The last point is one that is assigned as a common trait of Christianity. There is a lack of charm and wit if you will in the way Christians come across to other people. There is a dullness and lack of laughter, a kind of sanctimonious outlook on life and other people. We spend a lot of time talking about what you should not be doing and not enough about the blessings and joy of a Christian life. There are many little sparklers in living a life of service to Christ and to the people of God. There is laughter, joy and assurance of better things to come.
Well, the Colossians did not heed the warnings God sent them. We already saw in the earlier article that Colossae was gradually displaced/replaced by Laodicea. By the time Revelations came around the Church at Colossae is not even mentioned. So much for the wisdom of man. The Enlightened Ones as they call themselves, are fools in God’s eyes.
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
This is often the way of people when they are fat, happy, blessed and secure. They begin to think that they do not need GOD. They become full of themselves and concerned only for what they desire. They focus on outward appearance and MONEY.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Archesare structures of deep resonance. They embody and symbolize strength and support. The arch is basically a male motif. In mythology, it represents the door between time and spacethrough which one passes to enter another world. The arch signifies the opening to new perspectives, the fact of seeing on the other side.
In the tarot
The arch signifies the opening to new perspectives, the fact of seeing on the other side. It is used in some cultures as a symbol of renewal. Crossing an arch is a rite of passage where one abandons the old to discover the new.
In the Greco-Roman tradition
The arch symbolizes the skies of Olympusand the heavenly gods like Zeus and Jupiter. spacer
Thalassawas a primordial deity in Greek mythology, goddess of the sea. She was the daughter of Aether and Hemera (day). She was married to the Titan god of the sea Pontus,with whom she had ten children; nine of them were called Telchines and were considered the original inhabitants of the island of Rhodes, while the tenth was a daughter, Halia. Being a personification of the sea,she was also considered to be the mother of the goddess Aphrodite,when Uranus was castrated by his son Cronus, and his genitals were thrown into the sea.
Telekhinewere the original inhabitants of Keos Island and Rhodes Island.They were the founders of the art of blacksmithing,and even taught the Hundred-Handed Monsters and the Oldest Cyclops to become blacksmiths. In addition, the telekhines were also proficient in magic. spacer
THE TELKHINES (Telchines) were four mysterious sea-god magicians and smiths native to the islands of Keos (Ceos) and Rhodes. They invented the art of metal-workingand were said to have crafted the sickle used by Kronos (Cronus)used to castrate his father Ouranos (Uranus)as well as the magical trident for Poseidon which the god used to lever mountains into the sea to create the island of the Aegean. Their malignant use of magic later angered Zeus, who cast them beneath the sea or into the pit of Tartaros. These strange sea-daimones were sometimes described as having the heads of dogs and fish-fins for hands.
The Telkhines play a variety of roles in myth and appear similar in some respects to the Hekatonkheires (storm giants) and Elder Kyklopes (Cyclopes)(thunder and lightning giants), as well as the metalworking Kouretes (Curetes), Daktyloi (Dactyls), and the Rhodian sons of Poseidon known as the Daimones Proseoous. The names of the two of the three Telkhines–Damnameneus and Skelmis– were applied to Daktyloi (Dactyls) by Hesiod.
The Telekhines are mythical creatures from ancient Greek mythology, often associated with the sea and depicted as having both human and marine animal features. The Telekhines were believed to be the offspring of Pontus (the sea) and Gaia (the Earth), making them siblings of other sea deities and creatures in Greek mythology.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Humanoid Form: The Telekhines are generally described as humanoid beings, having a basic human-like shape.
Animal Heads: One of the notable features is their heads, the heads of dogs or other marine animals, resembling the characteristics of seals or sea lions.
Webbed Hands and Feet: The Telekhines are often described as having webbed hands and feet, emphasizing their connection to the sea.
Transformation: In some myths, the Telekhines undergo a transformation or punishment. They may be transformed into sea monsters or demonic entities.
ORIGIN
As children of Pontus and Gaia, the Telekhines were siblings to various sea deities and mythological beings.
The Telekhines’ close connection to the sea is reflected in their physical characteristics and behaviors. They were often associated with the island of Rhodes and engaged in activities related to the sea.
POWERS AND ABILITIES
Artistic Proficiency: The Telekhines were known for their exceptional artistic abilities, particularly in the fields of metallurgy and craftsmanship.They were credited with creating intricate and valuable items, and some myths attribute the crafting of Poseidon’s trident to them.
Temple Builders: According to certain traditions, the Telekhines built a temple dedicated to the goddess Hecate. Goddess of Witchcraft/MAGICK
Connection to the Sea: As beings associated with the sea, the Telekhines likely possessed an affinity for aquatic environments.
The telekhines are believed to be the ones who made Kronos’ Stone Scythe, although in fact they are only responsible for the routine maintenance of the weapon. The telekhines also modified the power of Poseidon’s Trident so that it could sink mountains to create islands in the Aegean Sea.
However, the telekhines went too far. They practice forbidden things by making deadly chemical weapons.They mixed the water of the Styx River with sulfur to produce a chemical that killed many animals and plants on the islands of Keos and Rhodes. Therefore, Zeus was angry and punished them. The telekhines were driven deep into the seabed and some were banished to Tartarus.
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I have always wondered what is so special about Rhodes Scholars. I learned some of it from studying the Druids who created colleges/universities. But, HERE we find the root. spacer
RHODE was the goddess-nymph and eponym of the Aegean island of Rhodes.She was a daughter of Poseidon and the wife of Helios the Sun–the island’s patron god.
Rhode was identified by the Rhodians with the goddess Athena, and her seven sons with the Kouretes
Rhodos was a naiad, of whom the following legend is related. When the gods distributed among themselves the various countries of the earth,the island of Rhodes was yet covered by the waves of the sea.Helios was absent at the time; and as no one drew a lot for him, he was not to have any share in the distribution of the earth. But at that moment the island of Rhodes rose out of the sea, and with the consent of Zeushe took possession of it, and by the nymph of the isle he then became the father of seven sons, the Heliadae.3 Source spacer
in Greek and Roman mythology, “water nymph,” one of the female deities presiding over springs and streams, c. 1600, from Latin Nais, Naias (genitive naiadis), from Greek Naias (plural Naiades) “river nymph,” from naiein “to flow,” from PIE *naw-yo-, suffixed form of *(s)nau- “to swim, flow, let flow” (from PIE root *sna- “to swim”).
Heliadae, in Greek mythology, is the name given to the seven sons of the god Heliosand the sea nymph Rhode. Their names were Ochimus, Cercaphus, Macareus, Actis, Tenages, Triopas and Candalus.They had expertise in astrology and seamanshipand were the ones that drove the Telchines (the original inhabitants of the island of Rhodes) out of the island. Source: https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Minor_Gods/Heliadae/heliadae.html
Though she does not appear among the lists of nereids in the Iliad XVIII or Bibliotheke 1.2.7, such an ancient island nymph in other contexts might gain any of various Olympian parentages: she was thought of as a daughter ofPoseidon[2] with any of several primordial sea-goddesses— with whom she might be identified herself— notably Halia or Amphitrite.[3]Pindar even urges his hearers to “Praise the sea maid, daughter of Aphrodite, bride of Helios, this isle of Rhodes.“[4] “All three names— Halia, Aphrodite, Amphitrite, and furthermore also Kapheira—[5] must have been applied to one and the same great goddess“, Karl Kerenyi observes.[6]
In Rhodes, to which she gave her name,she was the consort of Helios, as Pindar says, and a co-protector of the island, which was the sole center of her cult. Her name was applied to the rose, which appeared on Rhodian coinage. (This is very important, Rosicrucians/The Red Rose and The White Rose of the War of the Roses in England.) —
Roseswere used to convey messages without words. The Latin expression ” sub rosa ” which means ” under the rose “, means to tell something in secret.In ancient Rome, a wild rose was often placed on the door of a room where sensitive and restricted business was discussed. Romans hung roses above meeting tables. Here it was understood that anything said at this table, beneath the hanging roses, was forbidden to be repeated elsewhere.Romans would hang roses from the ceilings of banquet halls, and it was understood that anything said under the influence of wine was to remain confidential. The white rose stands for innocence and purity; also silence, secrecy, and reverence.
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. The rose is the symbol of everything OCCULT, EVERYTHING SAID OR DONE IN SECRET. Or what is said and done at all the “SECRET” meetings of the wealthy and powerful. Including the “CHURCH OF ROME” holding all the secret archives from history…
spacer The first inhabitants of Rhodes were identified by Hellenes as theTelchines. Helios made the island rise from the sea and with Rhode, fathered seven sons there,[7] the Heliadae: Ochimus,Cercaphus, Macareus,Actis, Tenages, Triopas, and Candalus)and one daughter,Electryone.Electryone died a virginand the sons became legendary astronomersand rulers of the island, accounting for the cities among which it was divided. Rhode was worshipped on Rhodes in her own name, as well as Halia, the embodiment of the “salt sea” or as the “white goddess”, Leucothea. —
In the version sited at Rhodes, a much earlier mythic level is reflected in the genealogy: There, a nymph or goddess named Halia (“salty”)[a] plunged into the sea and became Leucothea. Her parents were the titansThalassa and Pontus (or Uranus).She was a local nymph and one of the aboriginal Telchines of the island. Halia became Poseidon‘s wife and bore him Rhodos and six sons; their sons were maddened by Aphrodite in retaliation for an impious affront, assaulted their own mother Halia, and were confined in caves beneath the island by their father Poseidon; Halia cast herself into the sea, and became Leucothea.The people of Rhodes traced their mythic descent from the nymph Rhodos and the Sun godHelios.[1][2][3]
Rhodes, which is the fourth largest island in Greece and the capital of the Dodecanese, is among the most famous travel destinations in the world.In its rich 2,400-year history it has been the home of great sages and orators, and of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Colossus of Rhodes; the headquarters of the Knights of the Order of St. John; and a favourite of the international jet-set, who put it on the map of the most cosmopolitan resorts in the Mediterranean.
7 memorable experiences on Rhodes
Rhodes Medieval Festival, held every June, with a re-enactment of what life was like in the Old Town during the era of the Knights.
“Castle of Eagles” (1476) in Monolithos.
Hellenistic remains of Kamiros, known as the “Pompeii of Greece”.
A climb to the top of Mount Profitis Ilias, at an altitude of 780 metros, following the paved footpath from the village of Salakos.
Monastery of Our LadyTsambika (patroness of childless couples), near the village of Archangelos.
Mandraki, famous columns with the bronze statues of a buck and a doe; the fortress of Saint Nicholas, built by the Duke of Burgundy at the end of the jetty; and the three picturesque windmills.
Rodini Park, among the oldest public gardens in the worldand, in antiquity, the home of the illustrious School of Rhetoric of the Athenian orator Aeschines. It is an oasis of venerable plane trees, springs and wooden bridges.
Beaches of Rhodes
Rhodes is well-known for its large and well-organised beaches. The most popular and touristy run along the east coast from north to south. The west side of the island is characterised by rugged natural beauty and breezy conditions that are ideal for windsurfers. It is worth discovering:
The much photographed and frequented Elli, right next to Rhodes Town, acclaimed by the British author Lawrence Durrell as the most perfect beach in the Mediterranean.
Tsambika, imposing rock on which the monasteryof the same name stands.
Saint Paul’s Bay, with its double beach, below the Acropolis of Lindos.
The idyllic Kallithea, whose celebrated thermal springs are surrounded by pines and palm trees.
The Old Town A UNESCO world heritage centre since 1988, the fortified medieval city of Rhodes is the island’s foremost attraction. Behind the remarkable 4-km-long walls with their countless towers, bastions, and knightly coats of arms, is a labyrinthine architectural complex that transports visitors back to a bygone era. Don’t miss the amazing 14th-century Palace of the Grand Master,with its priceless treasures, and the atmospheric Street of the Knights, as well as Hippocrates Square, the Square of the Jewish Martyrs, and Socrates Street, the commercial heart of the town.Butterfly Valley A pine-coveredvalley traversed by the small river Pelekanos near the village of Theologosis the location of a unique natural spectacle, as it is a refuge for the rare butterfly Panaxia quadripunctaria. spacer
Noun: A remedy for all diseases or difficulties; a universal solution.
Noun: Something that will solve all problems or cure all illnesses.
Etymology
The term “panacea” originates from the Greek word “panakeia,” which combines “pan” (meaning “all”) and “akos” (meaning “remedy” or “cure”). In Greek mythology, Panacea was the goddess of universal healing,who was said to have a potion capable of curing any disease.
Interestingly,Panacea was one of the daughters of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, further embedding the notion of this term in the context of healing and remedies.
Rhodes Acropolis These breathtaking Hellenistic ruins on Monte Smith hill are a majestic sight. Tour the wonderfully restored stadium of Diagoras, dating from the 2nd century BC, the Doric Temple of Pythian Apollo, and the Roman Odeon, a restored 800-seat theatre.
The Archaeological Museum Housed in the magnificent Knights’ Hospital(1440-1499), a jewel of Gothic architecture in the Old Town, the museum’s collection contains finds from excavations on Rhodes and the neighbouring islands.
Prasonisi Among the island’s most dazzling natural wonders, this pine-covered islet just off the southern tip of Rhodesis joined to it by a thin 500-metre strip of sand, depending on the weather and the level of the sea. Surrounded by water, the beach is an international destination for windsurfing enthusiasts. We know that WIND is a force of nature and is associated with the realm of the spirit.
Lindos One of the most popular Mediterranean resorts from the 1950s to the 1970s with its characteristic Cycladic aesthetics lies in the shadow of the ancient acropolis of Lindos, dominated to this day by the Temple of Athena, and offers exceptional views of the Aegean.
The Monastery of Our Lady of Filerimos This historic 14th-century monaster’s most prominent feature is the “Street of Martyrdom”, a paved uphill path of 134 stepsthat represents Christ’s fourteen stops on the road to Golgotha. The route ends in a giant cross, 18metres high.
Mandraki The New Town of Rhodes spreads out from the port of Mandraki, outside the walls of the medieval city. A showcase of building design from the Italian occupation. spacer
narcotic Old World plant, early 14c., mondrake, also mandragge, from Medieval Latin mandragora,from Latin mandragoras, from Greek mandragoras, probably from a non-Indo-European word. The word was in late Old English and Middle English in its Latin form; folk etymology associated the second element with dragoun and substituted native drake in its place, though perhaps with little meaning attached to it. The forked root is thought to resemble a human body and was said to shriek when pulled from the ground.The plant has been regarded as an aphrodisiac.
Meanwhile it should not be forgotten that there was one magical possession, an idol of domestic superstition in mediaeval German households,which is said to have passed at the father’s death to the youngest son upon condition that he performed certain heathenish rites in relation to the father’s funeral. The “mandrake,” a plant with broad leaves and bright yellow flowers and with a root which grew in a semi-human form, was found beneath the public gallows and was dragged from the ground and carried home with many extraordinary ceremonies. When secured it became a familiar spirit, speaking in oracles if properly consulted and bringing good luck to the household in which it was enshrined. [Charles Elton, “Origins of English History,” 1882]
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Kallithea Springs Built in 1929 by the Italian Pietro Lombardi, the island’s renowned spa complexbrings together a variety of styles, from Arabian to art deco. Its most striking feature is the rotunda, with its pebble mosaics and white arches. Spas and Baths were very important spiritual places for worshiping the gods. They are a religious institution as much as any church or temple. Just as the Gymnasiums were to the Greeks and Romans.
The mountain villages of Rhodes A drive around the island’s interior is the perfect way to discover its unforgettable villages and authentic customs. Be sure to make a stop in Embonas, with its old wineries; Archangelos, with its medieval ruins and age-old tradition of pottery; the maze-like Koskinou, with its colourful gates and ornate pebble mosaics; and Kritinia, with its impressive castle.
The Order of St Johnis a Roman Catholic religious and military order established in Rome, Italy. The Order grew from the Knights Hospitaller, an organization founded in Jerusalem in 1050 and related to an Amalfitan hospital to supply take care of poor and sick pilgrims to the Holy Land. After the capture of Jerusalem in 1099 during the 1st Crusade, it became a Catholic military order under its own charter from the Pope. Following the loss of Christian held territories of the Holy Land to Muslims, the Order worked from Rhodes (1309 -1522),over which they were sovereign, and later from Malta (1530-1798).
Pierre:Modern French form of the masc. proper name represented in Modern English by Peter(q.v.).
Peter
masc. proper name, 12c., from Old English Petrus (genitive Pet(e)res, dative Pet(e)re), from Latin Petrus, from Greek Petros, literally“stone, rock”(see petrous), a translation of Syriac kefa “stone” (Latinized as Cephas),the nickname Jesus gave to apostle Simon Bar-Jona(Matthew xvi.17), historically known as St. Peter, and consequently a popular name among Christians (Italian Pietro, Spanish and Portuguese Pedro, Old French Pierres, French Pierre, etc.). As slang for “penis,” attested from 1902, probably from identity of first syllable.
The years when Rhodes was occupied by the Order of the Knights of St. John could be considered as one of the Rhodes’ most flourishing periods.The Knights stayed at Rhodes for 213 whole years, since 1309 till 1522 when the last Grand Master was forced to hand over the town to the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. They left imposing evidence of their time on Rhodes and gave it particular color which the town still retains in its impregnable walls, its gates, the churches and the hospitals, the inns and the majestic palaces.
The Knights of St John Today
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta (Official Name)
The Order of Malta is one of the few Orders created in the Middle Ages and still active today.It is also the only one that is at the same time religious and sovereign.After the loss of Malta the Order settled definitively in Rome in 1834where it owns, with extraterritoriality status, the Magistral Palace in Via Condotti 68 and the Magistral Villa on the Aventine Hill.
The Flags and Emblems of the Order
The Sovereign Order of Malta is a sovereign subject of international law,with its own constitution, passports, stamps, and public institutions. The Order has diplomatic relations with 104 countries – many of which non-Catholic –and missions to major European countries, as well as to European and international organizations.The original Hospitaller mission became once again the main activity of the Order, growing ever stronger during the last century. On 2 May 2018, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre has been elected the 80th Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta.
Τhe Medieval Rose Festival is held every year on Rhodes since 2006, organized by the “Medieval Rose” association and is a unique of its kind event in Greece.. It is a cultural event inspired of the medieval history of the island and re-enacts the every day life as well as legendary events of the time.
Agenda also includes artistic events, seminars, bazaars, workshops, exhibitions and conventions related to the era. All participants should be dressed in a medieval manner and all settings and equipment used made of appropriate to the epoch materials. Hosting venue is the Moat and Gate d’ Amboise, while various happenings take place around the Medieval town. Main aim is to maintain the cultural heritage of Rhodes island and highlight the value of the extant byzantine and medieval architectural treasures.
For more than fifty years in the 3rd c. BC, visitors to Rhodes were treated to a view of one of the ancient world’s “Seven Wonders”: a gigantic bronze statue of Helios, god of the sun,hailed as the Colossus of Rhodes. Although physical traces of this masterwork have all nearly vanished, the story of the statue lives on, intertwining historical conflict, colorful characters, artistic ingenuity and enduring controversy.
After Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BC and while his rivalrous successors struggled against one another for power and lands, Antigonus I Monophthalmus (“The One-Eyed”) sent his son, Demetrius I Poliorcetes (“The Besieger”), to attack Rhodes in 305-304 BC, hoping to force the island to break its ties with Ptolemaic Egypt. When the siege failed, due to Rhodes’ strong defenses and the Egyptians’ clandestine provisioning of the island, Ptolemy I became known as Soter (Savior), a name given to him by the Rhodians.
The word “besiege” evokes images of medieval warfare, castle sieges, and relentless attacks. Its origins trace back to Old French and Germanic influences, capturing the intensity of being surrounded and pressured. Historically, the term was used in the context of military tactics, referring to the act of surrounding a fortress or city to cut off supplies and force surrender. Source
early 13c.,segge, “a seat, chair, stool; ceremonial seat of a king,”senses now obsolete, from Old French siege, sege“seat, throne,”from Vulgar Latin *sedicum “seat,” from Latin sedere “to sit” (from PIE root *sed- (1) “to sit”).The military sense, “the stationing of an attacking force before or around a fortified place; the act or process of besieging a city, castle, etc.”is attested from c. 1300; the notion is of an army “sitting down” before a place.
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Demetrius is derived from the Greek name Demetrios, whiich was derived from the name of the Greek goddess Demeter. Demeter was the goddess of the harvest, agriculture, & fertility. She was often associated with the earth & was considered one of the most important deities in the ancient Greek pantheon. Those who were devoted to Demeter were known as Demeter’s children & were responsible for the cultivation of corn & other crops. In the winter months, these followers would participate in the Eleusinian Mysteries, whiich were a series of secret religious rites that celebrated the cycle of life, death, & rebirth.
Demetrius can be traced back to its Greek origins. Derived from the Greek name “Demetrios,” it is composed of two elements: “demos,” meaning “people,” and “metron,” meaning “measure.”
Demetrius is a masculine given name with Greek origins. It is derived from the Greek name “Demetrios,” which is a combination of “de” (meaning “earth”) and “metis” (meaning “wisdom”). Therefore, Demetrius can be interpreted to mean “follower of Demeter” or “devoted to Demeter”. Demeter is the Greek goddess of the harvest and agriculture.
Demetrius: The name Demetrius means Belonging To Demeter, and the latter was a popular Greek goddess of harvest, who also presided over divine Law and the cycle of life and death. Demeter consists of two parts. Where the first bit comes from isn’t clear but the final end corresponds to the proto-Indo-European root that also gave us the words “mater” and “mother”. Demetrius means something like Belonging To The Earth Mother or the Great Mother, or MOTHER EARTH/MOTHER NATURE
From the ancient Greek πολιορκητής, poliorkêtês (“besieger“), from πολιορκέω,poliorkhéô (“to besiege“), composed of πόλις, polis (“city“) and ἕρκος, herkos (“circumvallation“).
The word “Poliorcetes” is derived from Greek words. “Poliorcetes” comes from “polemos” (πόλεμος, meaning “war”)and “orkesthai” (ορκέστhai, meaning “to besiege”).
spacer To defeat the Rhodians, Poliorcetes had employed a full array of weaponry and equipment, including an enormous rolling siege tower, called a Helepolis (“City Destroying”) that was 40m high and 20m wide. The sides of this multi-storied machine were iron-plated. Openings in the plating allowed the firing of catapults and dart-throwers. Nevertheless, unintimidated, the Rhodians resisted and ultimately either forced the Helepolis’ withdrawal or caused it to become bogged down in ground covertly softened.
Giving up after a year-long siege,Poliorcetes departed Rhodes, abandoning his machines and many of his weapons – which the Rhodians promptly sold to finance the construction of a giant victory monument-cum-offering to their primary divine patron, Helios.
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Mandraki harbor, where the fortifications of the town of Rhodes are located.
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Chares of Lindos, a pupil of Lysippus, created the Colossus of Rhodes, taking twelve years to complete it at a cost of 300 gold talents – equivalent today to several million dollars. Historical sources give various heights for the Colossus (60-80 cubits). The average of these sources puts it at the same height (about 34m) as New York’s Statue of Liberty (not including her upraised arm). The ancient text, “On the Seven Wonders of the World,” ostensibly provides further details concerning the Colossus, but its author (“Philo of Byzantium”)– regardless of his eloquence (Chares “…made a god to equal the god, and…by his daring…had given the world a second sun to match the first…”) – has been shown to be later in date (3rd-4th c. AD) and unreliable as a source.
How Chares crafted the Colossus, therefore, with cast or hammered sections of bronze, remains a mystery. Iron braces were likely employed for internal reinforcement, but still the statue proved short-lived, ultimately collapsing during an earthquake in 226 BC. Noting its size, hollowness and construction, Pliny wrote: “Few men can clasp the thumb in their arms, and its fingers are larger than most statues. Where the limbs are broken asunder, vast caverns are seen yawning in the interior. Within it, too, are to be seen large masses of rock, by the weight of which the artist steadied it…”
Where the Colossus stood also remains a question.Medieval artists depict it astride the entrance to Rhodes’ port, one foot on the terminus of each breakwater. Technical considerations would have made this location impossible, but a distinctive circle of stones and finely-carved marble blocks reused in the 15th c. St. Nicholas Tower at the mouth of Mandraki harbor may indicate the base and position of the statue there. Alternatively, the Rhodian acropolis has also been proposed as a possible location.
The actual appearance of the Colossus poses further questions. A Rhodian relief, according to Andrew Stewart, suggests a figure resembling the Getty’s bronze Victorious Youth (300-100 BC). Furthermore, a special series of silver Rhodian didrachms depict the head of Helios with a rayed crown, which may have represented and paid homage to the newly erected Colossus. After the Colossus collapsed, the Rhodians followed oracular advice from Delphi and chose not to rebuild their monument. The fallen remains themselves became a tourist attraction; in the 7th c. AD, they were sold by the island’s Muslim overlords to a merchant from Edessa. Today, a debate rages in debt-torn Greece whether a new Colossus of Rhodes should be erected. spacer
SPACERMARITIME LAW went out from RHODES spacer The Rhodian Sea Law was based on a statute in the Digest of the Code of Justinian commissioned in the 6th century and on maritime customary law originating on Rhodes in ancient times. The regulations concentrated on the liability for the cost of lost or damaged cargo. Cargo loss was greatest during storms, when part or all of it had to be thrown overboard in order to save the ship. (I find that interesting when you consider that the people of Rhodes worshiped the GOD OF STORMS)Large amounts were also lost to piracy; from the 7th century on,there was increased danger of sea raids by Arab and Slavic pirates.Thus, the maritime law served as a form of insurance, dividing the cost of the losses between the shipowner, the owners of the cargo, and the passengers. Source spacer
Original meaning of mere was from German mari, German Meer “sea,”Gothic marei “sea,” mari-saiws “lake”), from PIE root *mori- “body of water.” Old High meaning The larger sense of “sea, arm of the sea” has been obsolete since Middle English “sea”pool, small lake, pond,” from Old English mere “sea, ocean; lake, pool, pond, cistern,” from Proto-Germanic *mari (source also of Old Norse marr, Old Saxon meri “sea,” Middle Dutch maer, Dutch meer “lake, sea, pool,”.
1540s, “of or pertaining to the sea,” from French maritime (16c.) or directly from Latin maritimus “of the sea, near the sea,” from mare (genitive maris) “sea” (from PIE root *mori- “body of water”) + Latin ending -timus, originally a superlative suffix (compare intimus “inmost,” ultimus “last”), here denoting “close association with.” Maritimes “seacoast regions of a country”
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Since the sea is an essential part of life in Greece throughout its history, it makes sense that many of the Gods, Goddesses, and creatures in Greek Religion originated in the water. Though most of us think of the Olympian Gods and Goddesses when we recall Greek Religion, the Gods and Goddesses of the sea, or Theoi Halloi, are also important parts of the Tradition. Source
Pontus – primeval god of the sea. He was one of the first-born gods and was a father of most of the ancient sea godsby Gaea.With his consort Thalassa they presided over the seas, fish and other sea creatures.Potamoi – three thousand river gods, born to Oceanus and Tethys. They were brothers of Oceanids and husbands of Naiads.
A port-city, it is located in the Northern Dobruja region of Romania, on the Black Sea coast. It is the capital of Constanța County and the largest city in the historical region of Dobrogea . As of the 2022 census, Constanța has a population of 667,860, making it the fifth most populous city in Romania.
Sep 10, 2021 The town of Constanta, situated on the BlackSea coast, having 300thousand population, is the main port and tourist resort of Romania. The city has an interesting history, dating back to Greek settlement. In antiquity, it was called Tomis. Establishing settlement
Tomis was a city, most probably built around the 7th century, B.C, by Greek inhabitants of the city of Miletus (located in nowadays Anatolian area). It was first mentioned in recorded history by Memnon of Heraclea Pontis in the context of a war between the Byzantines and the settlers of the nearby city of Callatis for supremacy over this city (the time was approximately the year 262 B.C.). The war was a consequence of the wider conflict on who controlled the grain transportacross the seas of the time.
Ruins of the city have been continuously discovered starting the early 1970s, first near the Church Saints Peter and Paul in Constanța(the city which is approximately located where once Tomis was). The first pieces of walls and dwellings date back to the 6th century B.C. (during the so-called classical period). Later on, it was discovered that the city of Tomis was much more extended than previously thought, ruins of walls and cult objects like sarcophagi being found as far as Ovid Square. These later ruins date from a period between 3rd and the 1st century B.C. (during the so-called Hellenistic period).
Many of the discovered ruins are on display in the central park of Constanța.
Below is a stone found in Tomis (you can view a lot more pictures of the ruins by clicking the title above.) I pulled this particular picture because of the obvious Cross on the middle of the stone. It is within a shape that resembles a ship. The stone is surrounded by Fluer Di Le and the ship shape is surrounded by what look like waves… Like a Ship on the Sea. Is that a “Christian” Cross? Or was it a symbol even before Christ? To the right is an image of the logo/trademark of the movement known as ECUMENISM/unity of all faiths. One world Religion
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Ecumenism is a term used by Christian denominations to suggest the whole “household of God”. The word ecumenism comes from a family of Classical Greek words: oikos, meaning a “house,” “family,” “people,” or “nation”; oikoumenē, “the whole inhabited world”; and oikoumenikos, “open to or participating in the whole world”. The term was formed in English as an ecclesiastical word in the late 16th century. The word oikoumenikos is derived from he oikoumene ge, meaning “the inhabited world”. Britannica
late 16c., “representing the entire (Christian) world,”formed in English as an ecclesiastical word, from Late Latin oecumenicus“general, universal,” from Greek oikoumenikos“from the whole world,”from he oikoumene ge“the inhabited world (as known to the ancient Greeks); the Greeks and their neighbors considered as developed human society (as opposed to barbarian lands),”in later use “the Roman world” and in the Christian sense in ecclesiastical Greek, from oikoumenos, present passive participle of oikein “inhabit,” from oikos “house, habitation” (from PIE root *weik- (1) “clan”). Related: Ecumenic
Assist. Prof. Dr. Glicherie Caraivan1; Jenica Bujini1; Dr. Bogdan-Adrian Ispas1; Cătălin Dobrinescu2; Dragoș Floroiu3
1National Institute of Research and Development for Marine Geology and Geoecology –
GeoEcoMar, Bucharest, Romania
2Museum of National History and Archaeology, Constanta, Romania
3Aquaproiect Company, Bucharest, Romania
The location of the Tomis ancient harborarea has been long time disputed. Recently,based on geophysical investigations and direct scuba diver observations off the Constanta Casino submarine area, some particular geomorphological, geological and archaeological aspects were clarified.
The seabed is irregular, represented by Sarmatian limestone, intensively eroded by waves. Specific micro-tectonic rectangular fissure features of the Sarmatian limestone, determined a differentiated erosion with geomorphological aspects similar to port quays.
Within the MARSPLAN RO-BG II Project, all this information was reviewed, allowing us to conclude that the ancient harbor was located south of Constanta Cape, in front of the “Roman Mosaic Museum Complex”. Due to its position, Tomis played a significant role in the socio – economic life of the Black Sea coastline,being an important maritime hub. The harbor basin was placed favorably in a natural bay situated in the south-west
coast of the peninsula. The remnants of the ancient harbor were still visible At the beginning of the 20th century, the modern port of Constanta destroyed the last ruins, but the old harbor basin was preserved.
We consider that the ancient port was built south of Constanta Port Gate 1, in front of the warehouses in the “Roman Mosaic Museum Complex”, the location being protected against waves from the northeast by the natural promontory of the Constanta Port Gate.
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Here we see that Tomis is located this area is known as the CONSTANTA PORT GATE. Three very significant factors in that name. 1) This is likely the birthing of what will be CONSTANTINOPLE 2) It is a PORT so a main access point for entering and leaving via the SEA. 3) It is a GATE, Gates are very, very important in the spirit realm.
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20th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2020
The UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage,
adopted on 2nd November 2001(2 11 2001) is an international treaty aimed to save the underwater cultural heritage, to which Romania has joined in July 2007. According to the convention, Romania declared its entire western Black Sea shelf as archaeological site.
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UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage
The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage is a treaty that was adopted on 2 November 2001 by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.Wikipedia
The 2001 Convention considers the preservation of underwaterculturalheritage in situ, i.e. in the sea, in its natural environment, as a priority option before authorizing or undertaking any intervention on underwaterculturalheritage Source
“Underwater cultural heritage” means all traces of human existence having a cultural, historical or archaeological character which have been partially or totally under water, periodically or continuously, for at least 100 years such as: (i) sites, structures, buildings, artefacts and human remains, together with their archaeological and natural context; (ii) vessels, aircraft, other vehicles or any part thereof, their cargo or other contents, together with their archaeological and natural context; and (iii) objects of prehistoric character.
Committed to improving the effectiveness of measures at international, regional and national levels for the preservation in situ (In the original position.) or, if necessary for scientific or protective purposes, the careful recovery of underwater cultural heritage,
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The underwater cultural heritage (UCH) of the Black Sea represents the unique history and identity of the region. Numerous remains, for example, shipwrecks both wood older than 2000 years, and modern metal ones have been discovered.
Apart from the natural richness of the continental shelf of the Black Sea, the underwater heritage also includes ancient archaeological remains. Unlike wrecks, they are accumulation sites, where objects from different historical epochs overlap with objects from previous epochs. These sites, also called submerged structures, have a great diversity (jetties, piers and other port facilities, cities from all historical periods etc.) and cover areas between a few hundred square meters or tens of hectares. For example, the significant bets, which amount to several thousand square meters, of the cities on the Romanian Black Sea coast Tomis and Callatis are under water or are clogged with alluvium [3].
At Tomis, a port on the western Black Sea coast, underwater archaeological research has highlighted the existence of a large underwater deposit of monumental remains (architectural fragments of marble, Roman sarcophagi etc.) occupying an area of about 10,000 square meters. The objects discovered following the underwater research brought evidence about an old tradition of navigation, about the maritime commercial connections between the native population of Dobruja and the Greekswho arrived for trade.
For ancient Tomis, historical sources mention several names, out of which the most known are Tomis or Tomi. Alongside Histria, Tomis emerges during the Greek colonization in the Left Pontus, in the 7th –6th centuries B.C. Tomis promontorywas an imminent stop for sailors. Due to its strategic position on the western Black Sea coast, the history of Tomis was permanently linked to the maritime activities which marked its evolution. Traces of these activities were preserved in the proximity of the city’s coastline [5]. The settlement of Tomis, first a small market town (emporion), fell under the process of the Greek colonization of the left banks of the Black Sea, organized by Miletus (7th –6th centuries B.C.). —
promontory –prŏm′ən-tôr″ē – noun
A high ridge of land or rock jutting out into a body of water; a headland.
A projecting part.
A high pointof land or rock projecting into the seabeyond the line of coast; a headland.
so the promontory is a HIGH PLACE. Natural location for the worship of the Oldest and Greatest God of the Sea. Tomis is the High Place where worship of the Sea began.
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Pontus (mythology) – Wikipedia
In a Roman sculpture of the 2nd century AD, Pontus, rising from seaweed, grasps a rudder with his right hand and leans on the prow of a ship.He wears a mural crown, and accompanies Fortuna, whose draperies appear at the left, as twin patron deities of the Black Sea port of Tomisin Moesia . Family tree [ edit] Main article: Greek sea gods
And Sea begat Nereus, the eldest of his children, (Pontus)who is true and lies not: and men call him the Old Man because he is trusty and gentle and does not forget the laws of righteousness but thinks just and kindly thoughts.And yet again he got great Thaumas and proud Phorcys, being mated with Earth, and fair-cheeked Ceto and Eurybia who has a heart of flint within her.
Pontus, or Pontos (a different spelling of his name), translates to “sea”.He and Gaea created Nereus, who was known as the “Old Man of the Sea”, though Pontus could also be referred to by that name, too, as could several other gods associated with water. Source
Pontus – In Greek mythology, Pontus ( / ˈpɒntəs /; Greek: Πόντος, translit. Póntos, lit. “Sea“) [1] was an ancient, pre-Olympian sea–god, one of the Greek primordial deities. Pontus was Gaia ‘s son and has no father; according to the Greek poet Hesiod, he was born without coupling, [2] though according to Hyginus, Pontus is the son of Aether and Gaia. [3] Source
Pontus was Gaia’s son and was born in the void state of the Void, at a time before anything ever existed.. His wife is the second primordial deity of the sea, Thalassa. Poseidon, king of the sea, wed Pontos’ eldest granddaughter Amphitrite. Pontus like the primordial beings Gaea and Ouranos, he existed since the beginning, when everything came to be. Source
PONTOS(Pontus) was the primordial god ( protogenos) of the sea. He was the sea itself, not merely its resident deity,who was born from earth at the dawn of creation. Pontos and Gaia (Gaea, the Earth) were parents of the ancient deities known as the Old Men of the Sea. Source
Pontus was the personification of the Mediterranean Sea and considered to be the most powerful of the sea gods. He became one of the weaker or less significant gods when the Olympian gods came to power. Pontus name means “the road”and is associated with the Mediterranean since that was the Greek trade route. Source
Pontus ancient district of Anatolia on the southern coast of the Black Sea, from Latinized form of Greek Pontos “the Black Sea and the regions around it,” literally “the sea,” from a variant of the PIE root *pent- “to tread, go” that also produced Latin pons (genitive pontis) “bridge, passage;”see find (v.). Entries linking to Pontus find (v.) Source
3,327 viewsOct 26, 2021Today we learn about Pontus the Primordial God of the Sea. As one of the first children of Mother Earth Gaia and brother to Ouranos the Sky, Pontus had an important role on the myths of Greek Mythology as the creator of the Ocean. He was also the lover of Thalassa and the father of all sea life and Ceto the Goddess of Sea Monsters! ATLANTIS by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/…) Artist: http://audionautix.com
Pontusancient district of Anatolia on the southern coast of the Black Sea, from Latinized form of Greek Pontos “the Black Sea and the regions around it,” literally “the sea,” from a variant of the PIE root *pent- “to tread, go“ that also produced Latin pons (genitive pontis or Pontif! ) “bridge, passage;”see find (v.). Entries linking to Pontus find (v.)
Map of the Pontic Kingdom before the reign of Mithridates VI (darkest purple), after his conquests (purple), and his conquests in the first Mithridatic wars (pink); little adds (ancient shorelines & some greek colonies under Mithridate’s rule) in accordance with V. Yanko-Hombach, A.S. Gilbert, N. Panin, P. M. Dolukhanov: The Black Sea Flood Question:Changes in Coastline, Climate, and Human Settlement, Springer, Netherlands, 2007, and with Appianus, Plutarchus & Strabo.
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PONTUS:pon’-tus (Pontos): Was an important province in the northeastern part of Asia Minor, lying along the south shore of the Black Sea. The name was geographical, not ethnical, in origin, and was first used to designate that part of Cappadocia which bordered on the “Pontus,” as the Euxine was often termed. Pontus proper extended from the Halys River on the West to the borders of Colchis on the East, its interior boundaries meeting those of Galatia, Cappadocia and Armenia.The chief rivers besides the Halys were the Iris, Lycus and Thermodon. The configuration of the country included a beautiful but narrow, riparian margin, backed by a noble range of mountains parallel to the coast, while these in turn were broken by the streams that forced their way from the interior plains down to the sea; the valleys, narrower or wider, were fertile and productive, as were the wide plains of the interior such as the Chiliokomon and Phanaroea. The mountain slopes were originally clothed with heavy forests of beech, pine and oakof different species, and when the country was well afforested, the rainfall must have been better adequate than now to the needs of a luxuriant vegetation.The first points in the earliest history of Pontus emerge from obscurity, much as the mountain peaks of its own noble ranges lift their heads above a fog bank. Thus, we catch glimpses of Assyrian culture at Sinope and Amisus, probably as far back as the 3rd millennium B.C. The period of Hittite domination in Asia Minorfollowed hard after, and there is increasing reason to suppose that the Hittites occupied certain leading city sites in Pontus, constructed the artificial mounds or tumuli (mound builders)that frequently meet the eyes of modern travelers, hewed out the rock tombs, and stamped their character upon the early conditions. The home of the Amazons, those warrior priestesses of the Hittites, was located on the banks of the Thermodon, and the mountains rising behind Terme are still called the “Amazon Range”; and the old legends live still in stories about the superior prowess of the modern women living there.
I have inserted the following information on the Hittites. As you review it, go slowly and really think about the information. When you find that the information on the Hitties was found in the 19th Century, so 1800’s the beginning of the “Industrial Revolution” you will begin to recognize that the NEW WORLD ORDER is based on the blueprint of the Hittites! Read with your critical thinking on high gear.
The rediscovery of the Hittites began in the 19th century,when archaeologists unearthed sites like Hattusa. This led to a renewed interest in the Hittite culture and language. Scholars have highlighted their contributions to law, military strategy, and diplomacy.
Hittite artifacts shed light on interactions with other ancient civilizations, like Egypt and Assyria. Their law codes and treaties offer valuable insights into governance and societal norms during the Bronze Age. Today, the Hittites are seen as crucial to understanding the complexities of ancient history and the dynamics of emerging empires. Source
The Hittites: Forgotten Giants of the Bronze Age Civilization The Hittites emerged as a significant civilization during the Bronze Ageand were part of the larger group of Indo-European peoples. They likely originated from regions north of the Black Sea and migrated south, settling in Anatolia, present-day Turkey,around the early 2nd millennium BC.
Hittite society was initially scattered across various city-states. Over time, they formed alliances and expanded their influence in the region.Their language, also called Hittite, is notable for being one of the earliest written Indo-European languages.
Hattusa was the capital and a central hub for their political power. The Great Temple in Hattusa was particularly important. It was dedicated to the storm god, a central figure in Hittite religion.The Hittites had a polytheistic belief system, worshiping numerous gods and goddesses. Their deities included the storm god Tarhun and the sun goddess Arinna, reflecting their reverence for natural forces.Religious practices often involved rituals, sacrifices, and festivals. Mythology played a significant role in Hittite culture. Temples were central to their religious life, showcasing detailed craftsmanship and serving as places of worship and community gatherings.
Archaeological findings show that Hattusa was well-planned, with organized streets and residential areas. Today, Hattusa is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its ruins provide critical insights into Hittite society and architecture. The discovery of clay tablets has provided valuable insights. These tablets contained legal documents, treaties, and literature. They revealed both daily life and the Hittite administration. Understanding the Hittite language helps historians learn about their culture. It shows how they managed their empire and interacted with neighboring societies.
Hittite art showcased their skills in sculpture, pottery, and metalwork. They are particularly known for their large stone reliefs and detailed rock carvings, often depicting gods and historical events.Architecture reflected their advanced techniques, seen in impressive structures like temples and palaces. The capital city of Hattusa featured massive walls and intricate gates, such as the Lion Gate.
The military of the Hittites played a crucial role in their rise and dominance in the Bronze Age. With a well-organized structure, notable battles, and advanced technologies, the Hittite army was a formidable force. The Hittite military had a structured organization that ensured efficiency in battles. At the top was the king, who acted as the supreme commander. Below him were various ranks including generals, captains, and soldiers. The army was composed of two main forces: infantry and chariotry. The chariotry was especially elite, often involving advanced strategies in open combat. Troops were divided into units, allowing for easier command and coordination during fights. This military system helped them manage large battles effectively.
The Hittite military was known for its technological advancements. The Hittites mastered metallurgy, producing superior weapons and armor. Their ability to craft bronze made them stand out among other cultures of the time. They were one of the first to extensively use chariots in warfare, which gave them speed and mobility. They used chariots effectively, giving them an edge in battles. Their chariots were lightweight and could carry three men: a driver, a warrior with a bow, and another with spears. This setup allowed for quicker attacks against enemies.
Through their conquests, the Hittites controlled vital trade routes and resources. Hittites established extensive trade networks, enabling them to exchange goods with neighboring cultures. They were known for their craftsmanship in textiles and metalwork.
The political structure of the Hittite Empire was complex and essential to its success. It was characterized by a strong kingship, a detailed legal system, and strategic diplomacy. Each aspect played a crucial role in maintaining stability and power. Their expansion created a diverse empire. It included various cultures, languages, and customs, which influenced each other over time.
The Hittite kings held significant power, often seen as semi-divine (demi-gods) figures.They were both military leaders and high priests, ensuring that they had control over both spiritual and temporal matters.Their authority was established through the concept of “divine kingship,”which linked the king’s rule to the gods.
Socially, they had a structured system with nobles, commoners, and slaves, each playing a role in their society.
Governance included a council of nobles who helped the king make decisions. This council provided advice and consent, making the political system more collaborative. Local rulers, known as “kings of the land,” administered smaller regions, allowing for efficient management across the empire.
The Hittites had a detailed legal system that ensured order and justice. The Hittite laws were written down and covered various aspects of daily life, including property rights, marriage, and criminal offenses.Judges played a crucial role in the enforcement of these laws. They were responsible for resolving disputes and meting out punishments. The Hittites also used a network of officials to oversee the administration, ensuring that the king’s commands were carried out effectively throughout the provinces.
Diplomacy was vital to the Hittite Empire’s expansion and survival. The Hittites engaged in treaties and allianceswith neighboring states, such as Egypt and Assyria. These agreements often involved marriage alliances, which strengthened political ties. The Hittites were skilled negotiators, using diplomacy to avoid conflict when possible. They also employed spies and messengers to gather intelligence on their rivals.This strategic approach helped them maintain power and navigate the complexities of the ancient Near East.
spacerspacer As the Hittite power shrunk in extent and force, by the year 1000 B.C. bands of hardy Greek adventurers appeared from the West sailing along the Euxine main in quest of lands to exploit and conquer and colonize. Cape Jason, which divides the modern mission fields of Trebizond and Marsovan, preserves the memory of the Argonants and the Golden Fleece. Miletus, “greatest of the Ionic towns,” sent out its colonists, swarm after swarm, up through the Bosphorus, and along the southern shore of the Black Sea. They occupied Sinope, the northern-most point of the peninsula with the best harbor and the most commanding situation. Sinope was in Paphlagonia, but politically as well as commercially enjoyed intimate relations with the Pontic cities.Settlers from Sinope, reinforced by others from Athens direct, pressed on and founded Amisus, the modern Samsoun, always an important commercial city. Another colony from Sinope founded Trebizond, near which Xenophon and the Ten Thousand reached the sea again after they had sounded the power of Persia and found it hollow at Cunaxa. Among the cities of the interior, picturesque Amasia in the gorge of the Iris Riverwitnessed the birth of Strabo in the 1st century B.C., and to the geographer Strabo, more than to any other man, is due our knowledge of Pontus in its early days. Zille, “built upon the mound of Semiramis,” contained the sanctuary of Anaitis, where sacrifices were performed with more pomp than in any other place. Comana, near the modern Tokat, was a city famous for the worship of the great god Ma.Greek culture by degrees took root along the coast; it mixed with, and in turn was modified by, the character of the older native inhabitants.When the Persians established their supremacy in Asia Minor with the overthrow of Lydia, 546 B.C., Pontus was loosely joined to the great empire and was ruled by Persian satraps. Ariobarzanes, Mithradates and Pharnaces are the recurring names in this dynasty of satraps which acquired independence about 363and maintained it during the Macedonian period. The man that first made Pontus famous in history was Mithradates VI,surnamed Eupator. Mithradates was a typical oriental despot, gifted, unscrupulous, commanding. Born at Sinope 136 B.C. and king at Amasia at the age of twelve, Mithradates was regarded by the Romans as “the most formidable enemy the Republic ever had to contend with.” By conquest or alliance he widely extended his power, his chief ally being his son-in-law Dikran, or Tigranes, of Armenia, and then prepared for the impending struggle with Rome. The republic had acquired Pergamus in 133 B.C. and assumed control of Western Asia Minor. There were three Roman armiesin different parts of the peninsula when war broke out, 88 B.C.Mithradates attacked them separately and over-threw them all. He then planned and executed a general massacre of all the Romans in Asia Minor, and 80,000 persons were cut down. Sulla by patient effort restored the fortunes of Rome, and the first war ended in a drawn game; each party had taken the measure of its antagonist, but neither had been able to oust the other. The second war began in the year 74,with Lucullus as the Roman general. Lucullus took Amisus by siege, chased Mithradates to Cabira, modern Niksar, scattered his army and drove the oriental sultan out of his country. Subsequently on his return to Rome, Lucullus carried from Kerasoun the first cherries known to the western world. In the third war the hero on the Roman side was the masterful Pompey, appointed in 66 B.C. As a result of this war, Mithradates was completely vanquished. His dominions were finally and permanently incorporated in the territories of the Roman republic. The aged king, breathing out wrath and forming impossible plans against his lifelong enemies, died in exile in the Crimea from poison administered by his own hand. Most of Pontus was for administrative purposes united by the Romanswith the province of Bithynia, though the eastern part subsisted as a separate kingdom under Polemon and his house, 36 B.C. to 63 A.D., and the southwestern portion was incorporated with the province of Galatia. It was during the Roman period that Christianity entered this province. There were Jews dwelling in Pontus, devout representatives of whom were in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9).Paul’s associates, Aquila and Priscilla, were originally from here (Acts 18:2). The sojourners of the Dispersion are included in the address of the first Epistle of Peter together with the people of four other provinces in Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1). Local traditions connect the apostles Andrew and Thaddeus with evangelistic labors in this region. They are said to have followed the great artery of travel leading from Caesarea Mazaca to Sinope. Pliny, governor of Bithynia andPontus 111-113 A.D., found Christians under his authority in great numbers (see BITHYNIA), and Professor Ramsay argues that Pliny’s famous letters, Numbers 96 and 97, written to the emperor Traian on the subject of the treatment of Christians under his government (see PERSECUTION), were composed in view of conditions in Amisus (Church in Roman Empire, 224, 225).The Roman empire in the East was gradually merged into the Byzantine,which is still known to the local inhabitants as the empire of “Roum,” i.e. Rome. Pontus shared the vicissitudes of this rather unfortunate government until, in 1204, a branch of the Byzantine imperial family established in Pontus a separate small state with its capital at Trebizond. Here the house of the Grand Comneni, sheltered between the sea and the mountain ranges, maintained its tinsel sovereignty to and beyond the fall of Constantinople. In 1461Trebizond was taken by Mohammed the Conqueror, since which date Pontus, with its conglomerate population of Turks, Armenians, Greeks and fragments of other races, has been a part of the Ottoman empire. spacer
Fig 1. Achilles killing the Amazon Penthesilea at Troy, Lucanian vase painting ca 400 BC,
Siritide National Museum of Policoro, (Marie-Lan Nguyen).
Source: Figure 18.3 in Mayor, The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women across the Ancient World (Princeton, 2014), used with permission
By Adrienne Mayor In Greek myth, Amazons were fierce women of exotic lands who gloried in hunting and war. The greatest Greek heroes, Heracles and Achilles, proved their valor by killing Amazon queens. But were Amazons mere fantasy?Thanks to archaeology, we now know they were modeled on real steppe nomads of Eurasia.
In the ancient Greek myths that made them famous, the Amazons were fierce warrior women dwelling on the fringes of the known world, around the Black Sea and beyond.The “equals of men”,Amazons were as courageous and skilled in battle as men. In Greek myths, these barbarian women gloried in outdoor life, sexual freedom, hunting, and warfare.
The greatest heroes of Greek myth – Heracles, Theseus, and Achilles – proved their valor by killing formidable Amazon queens. By the time Homer wrote the Iliad (about 650 BC), every Greek man, woman, and child knew thrilling Amazon tales by heart.Amazons wearing patterned trousers and boots, riding horses, shooting bows, swinging battle-axes, hurling spears, and dying heroically became wildly popular subjects in Greek vase paintings and sculptures. Vivid “Amazonomachies” (scenes of Amazon battles) decorated public buildings. In Greek art and literature, Amazons were invariably depicted as brave and beautiful, but always armed and dangerous(see figure 1 below).
Were Amazons real? Or were the bold, war-loving women mere fantasy figures? Modern historians have long assumed that the world of Amazons was nothing but an elaborate fiction brought to life by the Greek storytelling imagination.But now, thanks to spectacular and recent archaeological discoveries, compelling evidence confirms that Amazons of myth were modeled on real warrior women of steppe tribes, known to the Greeks as “Scythians”.In antiquity, “Scythia” referred to the vast territory stretching from Ukraine and southern Russia to Kazakhstan and Mongolia, populated by numerous diverse but culturally related tribes of nomadic mounted archers.Flourishing between 700 BC and AD 500, the Scythian lifestyle centered on horses, archery, and constant warfare. So far, archaeologists have discovered more than 1,000 Scythian grave mounds (kurgans) containing human remains, rich golden artifacts and distinctive clothing, armor, and weapons (see map 1 below).
Map 1. Ancient Scythia. Map by Michele Angel.
The Greeks first encountered Scythians in the seventh century BC, as Hellenic city-states began to establish colonies around the Black Sea and traders ventured deeper into Central Asia. As Greek knowledge of Scythia expanded, descriptions and images of Amazons took on more and more realistic details, reflecting steppe nomad customs, attire, horses, bows, and quivers. By about 450 BC, Herodotus and other Greek historians were describing how women of Scythia “fought alongside the men on horseback, like Amazons of myth.” Ancient sources reported that Cyrus of Persia, Alexander the Great, and the Roman general Pompey – encountered Amazon-like warrior women in eastern lands.
Many of the armed female skeletons bear combat injuries, such as arrowheads embedded in bones, ribs slashed by swords, and skulls punctured by pointed battle-axes.
Until the advent of DNA and bioarchaeological analysis, archaeologists of the past had routinely identified every skeleton buried with weapons as a male warrior. No longer. Today’s scientific testing is reversing the old assumptions that only men were warriors and that weapons were exclusively masculine possessions.The DNA analyses reveal that about one-third of Scythian females were active fighters.So far, 300 graves of women buried with spears, swords, battle-axes, and quivers of arrows have been reported, dating from the Bronze Age to the second century AD.Many of the armed female skeletons bear combat injuries, such as arrowheads embedded in bones, ribs slashed by swords, and skulls punctured by pointed battle-axes.Bioarchaeologists can even determine whether the women were in motion and fighting face-to-face on foot or on horseback, and whether they deflected enemy blows.Many of the women’s skeletons indicated a lifetime of hard riding and hands show heavy use of a bow (see map 2 below).
Map 2. Archaeological discoveries of more than 300 warrior women burials
in ancient Scythian lands. Map by Michele Angel.
The discovery of several frozen mummies in the Altai show that Scythian women and men were heavily tattooed. Some graves preserve wool, felt, silk, fur, and leather clothing. Men and women dressed alike in practical trousers, tunics, and boots – much like the Amazons depicted in Greek vase paintings. Women were buried with the same honors as men, with sacrificed horses and a great feast for the mourners.Like the males, women were accompanied by armor, weapons, tools, hemp-smoking equipment, and a ritual last meal – fermented mare’s milk and horsemeat impaled with an iron knife on a wooden plate.The youngest warrior girls with weapons were only 10 to 14 years old when they died, proof that nomad children were trained to ride horses and handle weapons at an early age. Notably, babies were buried with both men and women.
A typical example of a warrior woman burial dates to about 300 BC in Kazakhstan. She was buried holding her large iron dagger in her right hand. A nearby grave held a girl aged 14-15, with her quiver and 40 bronze arrowheads.One kurgan in Ukraine contained several female skeletons aged 10 to 45, laid to rest with armor, spears, and arrows (see figure 2 below).
Fig 2. Typical warrior woman skeleton with large iron dagger and two iron arrowheads, Scythian burial, 4th century BC, photo by James Vedder. Source: Color plate 3, in Mayor, The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women across the Ancient World (Princeton, 2014), used with permission.
Many armed women’s burials have come to light around Rostov-on-Don,Russia. For example, to make way for a new highway archaeologists excavated a kurgan of a young female of about 20.Surrounded by horse equipment, an iron battle-axe, and a Chinese mirror, she wore a diadem of golden birds and stags and a sumptuous turquoise and gold chest piece decorated with monkeys fighting dragons. Her grave goods combine Scythian and Asian motifs, testifying to the nomads’ far-ranging trade. She had been killed by an arrow.
The extensive archaeological evidence points to a level of gender equalitythat would have astonished the Greeks, whose wives and daughters stayed indoors weaving and minding children. In contrast, the nomadic horsemen and women lived a rugged life in a harsh landscape, always on the move, hunting, raiding and battling hostile tribes. Because every member of the tribe was a stakeholder, everyone contributed to survival. It made sense to train girls as well as boys to ride, shoot arrows, and make war. Indeed, in Scythia, the great equaliser for women was the combination of horses and archery.Astride a fast horse, a woman with a bow could be deadly as a man.
The egalitarian lifestyle of the Scythians was both exhilarating and daunting for the Greeks, who were inspired to create an outpouring of exciting narratives about barbarian women as brave and skilled in war as men. In their myths about Amazons, it seems that the Greeks permitted themselves a safe space to explore the idea of equality between the sexes, an impossible dream in the paternalistic Greek society.
The Greek mythic scenario doomed every Amazon queen to death at the hands of the invincible Greek national heroes. But later historical writers’ accounts of the campaigns and victories of warrior queens in barbarian lands were more realistic. One example was Tirgatao, leader of the Ixomatae in the Azov-Don region in the fifth century BC. Tirgatao, whose name means “Arrow Power,”fought enemies in the Caucasus with her army of male infantry archers and cavalrywomen skilled with bows and lariats. At one point Tirgatao was captured and locked in a tower, but she made a daring escape and returned to the Don River, raised another army, and took revenge. Another time, her armored war-belt deflected a blow from an opponent. About 300 years later, Amage (“Meadow”) was acclaimed ruler of the Roxolani, a tribe of Alan-Sarmatians. She also won many victories.In one incident, Amage led 120 of her best warriors in an attack and personally killed the enemy commander. She saved his son, however, and persuaded him to rule peacefully.
It is often assumed that the ancient Greeks held a monopoly on Amazons. But Greeks were not the only ancient culture to weave stories about warlike women and thrill to accounts of legendary and historical warrior queens. The tough horsewomen of the steppes also inspired oral traditions and writings in Egypt, Persia, Trans-Caucasia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Central Asia, India, and even China.
The Persians encountered some powerful warrior queens of Scythia in their campaigns. The Saka-Scythian queen Sparethra (“Heroic Army”) commanded an army of about 300,000 horsemen and women against Cyrus the Great of Persia. As the Greek historian Diodorus remarked, the Saka were known for “courageous women who share with their men the dangers of war.”Sparethra defeated the Persian forces and captured three of Cyrus’s sons, forcing Cyrus to agree to a peace treaty.
Images on Left: From top to bottom: Fig 3. Queen Tomyris of the Saka-Massagetae, silver coin of Kazakhstan, 2010, courtesy of Kazakhstan Mint; Fig 4. The Kalmyk hero-girl Saikal, from the Central Asian Manas epic, illustration by Teodor Gercen on Kyrgyz Republic postage stamp, 1995. Source: Figure 24.2 in Mayor, The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women across the Ancient World (Princeton, 2014), used with permission.
Sparethra and Cyrus became allies.But Cyrus was not so lucky with Queen Tomyris of the Saka-Massagetae. In about 530 BC, Cyrus was routed by Tomyris’s horde of mounted archers. The Persian king resorted to treachery, setting up an ambush with wine as the bait. The nomads, unused to wine, were slaughtered and Tomyris’s son was captured. Enraged by the trick, Tomyris sent a message to Cyrus vowing to “give him his fill of blood.” In the next battle, amid horrendous mayhem, Tomyris’s army destroyed the Persians. Cyrus was mortally wounded.It was said that Tomyris found the king’s corpse, hacked off his head, and plunged it into a wine jug brimming with blood.Today Kazakhstan claims Tomyris as their national heroine and issues coins in her honor (see figure 3).
The life of another historical Saka queen inspired an ancient Persian (Iranian) romance. During the Median Empire (625–550 BC), the daring Zarina (“Golden”) conquered many foes. The Parthians requested that Zarina lead a revolt, setting off a series of wars between the Saka-Parthians and the Medes. In one battle, Zarina and the Mede commander Stryangaeus faced off. He knocked her from her horse but, struck by her bravery, allowed her to remount and escape. Some time later, Zarina captured Stryangaeus but freed him because the Mede had once saved her life. Later, after the Medes and the Saka declared peace, Stryangaeus visited Queen Zarina in Rhoxanake (“Shining City”) and declared undying love for his former enemy.
Some scholars have compared this Persian love story to the tragic Greek myth of Achilles who regretted killing the valiant Amazon Penthesilea at Troy. But the Persian tale offers a very different scenario. Zarina and Stryangaeus had spared each other’s lives in battle, and thus friendship and love were possible.
Several Circassian legends tell how an Amazon queen of the Caucasus, Valdusa, and her all-female band fought Circassian men led by Thulme. After many indecisive battles, the armies faced each other yet again on the plain. But this time, Valdusa requested a private meeting with Thulme. A tent was pitched between the armies and the leaders entered alone.
When the pair emerged the next day, Valdusa announced that they had decided to marry and would henceforth fight common enemies together as equals. The lovers asked their soldiers to follow their example. The women warriors invited the Circassian men to be their husbands. In all versions of the legend, the Circassians and the Amazons joined forces and rode to war as companions ever after. The legend recalls Herodotus’s earlier account of a band of Amazons skirmishing with Scythian men and then deciding to elope and form the Sarmatians.
A recently discovered ancient Egyptian papyrus describes a similar happy ending. An Amazon queen of Syria, Serpot (“Blue Lotus”), fights an Egyptian commander, Pedikhons, in single combat.They are so well matched that neither can win. After several duels, they fall in love, decide to join forces, and march off to fight foes together (see figure 4 on right). spacer
In figure 3 above, NOTE the entire group surrounding the main figure are all wearing the Phrygian Cap.
The Phrygian Cap, also known as the Red Cap of Liberty, is a symbol associated with initiation, sacrifice, liberty, revolution, enlightenment, and brotherhood1. In ancient Roman times, it was a symbol of the secret cult centered around the god Mithras, representing justice and freedom2.
By the 4th century BC (early Hellenistic period), the Phrygian cap was associated with Phrygian Attis, the consort of Cybele, the cult of which had by then become graecified.
At around the same time, the cap appears in depictions of the legendary king Midas and other Phrygians in Greek vase-paintings and sculpture.[4]
By extension, the Phrygian cap also came to be applied to several other non-Greek-speaking peoples (“barbarians” in the classical sense).Most notable of these extended senses of “Phrygian” were the Trojans and other western Anatolian peoples,who in Greek perception were synonymous with the Phrygians, and whose heroes Paris, Aeneas, and Ganymede were all regularly depicted with a Phrygian cap.
Other Greek earthenware of antiquity also depict Amazonsand so-called “Scythian” archers with Phrygian caps.
Far Right Image: Statuette of Attis
Formerly in Palazzo Altieri, acquired by the Vatican from Pietro Maria Vitali in 1804. The cult of Attis, the mythical shepherd loved by Cybele,Great Mother of the Gods, began in Phrygia, modern day Turkey, and was the object of particular worship during the imperial era. The god Attis, in oriental clothing, is shown here in line with a fairly common iconography that represents a moment orgiastic dance in honor of the goddess Cybele.
Cybele (Greek Κυβέλη): Anatolian mother goddess, also worshipped in Greece and the Roman Empire.
Ostia, Statue of Cybele
The Great Mother (Mother Earth, Mother Nature) was the goddess who had once given birth to the other gods, to the first humans, to the animals, and to the wild nature. In short: she was the universal mother. (It must be noted that as goddess of birth, she was not the goddess of fertility itself.) The cult of this goddess was ubiquitous in first millennium BCE Anatolia.As Leto, she was venerated inLycia; the Ephesians called her Artemis; in Hittite sources, we meet the Hurrian goddess Hepat. Matar, Agdistis, and Cybele are the goddess’ Phrygian names. The last name would become predominant in the fifth century BCE.
Perhaps the Phrygians, who had come to Anatolia from Thrace in the Early Iron Age, introduced aspects of the Thracian cult of Dionysus: in any case, the rituals were ecstatic in nature.This was of course fitting for a goddess of the wild nature.One of these rituals was the self-castration of (some of) the priests, the galli, which was notorious in the ancient world. They did this to emulate Attis, the beloved of Cybele, who had cut off his genitals in a state of religious frenzy. Seated under a pine tree, he had bled to death.note
One of the main ceremonies, best known from Greek and Roman sources, was celebrated at the beginning of Spring, in March. The devotees cut a pine tree and brought it to the temple. Here, it was decorated with violets, which represented drops of Attis’ blood.The high priest made a cut in his arm and offered some blood to the goddess. The other priests were dancing and whipping themselves,so that drops of their blood fell on the holy pine tree.
BEYONCE:Tina, who shares daughters Beyoncé (whose full name is Beyoncé Giselle Knowles) “Beyoncé” means “beyond others,” which suits Beyoncé’s out-of-this-world persona.Source spacer “Beyonce”does not have a widely recognized definition like many traditional names. Instead, its value lies in its rarity and the cultural heritage it represents. It serves asan identifier of lineageand familial ties, which is crucial within Creole communities. sourceGiselehas its roots in Germany, where it was originally spelled Gisela. Gisela is derived from the Old High German words “gisil,” meaning “pledge” or “hostage,” and “ja,” meaning “together” or “in union.”Thus, the name Gisele can be translated to mean“pledge of unity.” SourceKnowlesis an English surname of Old English origin. This is a locality name meaning ‘at the knoll,’ a hill or summit, derived from Old English word cnolle or Middle English knol, SourceSO BEYONCE’s NAME READS LIKE THIS: THE BLOODLINES WHO PLEDGED UNITY AT THE SUMMIT!!! THE FALLEN ANGELS ON MT HERMON.
Note the TONGUE. Sticking out of the tongue symbolizes REBELLION!
The scary things fan can do to show solidarity to their Idol seems to be new every time.
Queen Bey`s accidental ripping of her earring which cause her ear to bleed at the Tidal X 1015 concert at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center on Saturday night has made her loyal fans to show solidarity by cutting off parts of their ears in a scary #CutForBeyonce trend.
The unfortunate incident happened during Beyoncé’s performance of “Haunted,”as a result of a grip of her long braid on her earring which caused her to bleed.
Unbothered, the music goddesssimply swiped the blood off her ear and continued to Werk like nothing happened.
Surprisingly, her loyal fans showed their support by cutting off parts of their body in a new buzzing trendtagged #CutForBeyonce.
The incident caused a ripple of support from Beyonce’s fans on Twitter who expressed solidarity with their “queen” by saying as the singer bled, they would also #CutForBeyonce and #BleedForBeyonce.
The disturbing hashtags trended on social media,with some of the posts being accompanied by what looked like disturbing images of self-harm.
“If the queen bleeds the hive must unify and leak our blood to restore her spirits. Beyhive we must #CutForBeyonce,” one post read. The post showed a photo of a bleeding arm.
“I saw Beyoncé cut her ear so I cut my ear #CutForBeyoncé,” another one posted.
“If Queen B had to endure pain, so do I. Tonight we #CutForBeyonce,” yet another one wrote
spacer Other plots in which equally matched male and female warriors become companions in love and war are found in the ancient traditions of Central Asia and even China. Examples are the Kalmyk warrior-heroine Saikal and the hero Manas, in the Manas epic, a compendium of Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Nogay, Uighur, and Turkic legends recited by generations of bards. In Uzbek and Kyrgyz poems about the Forty Maidens, from her citadel on the Aral Sea, Gulaim defeats a cruel Kalmyk leader in single combat and allies with the hero Aryslan of another tribe. They become lovers and form a coalition of Karakalpaks, Turkomans, Uzbeks, and Kazakhs, winning many more victories. Similar storylines appear in Chinese folk ballads about nomadic warrior women of Inner Asia.
These non-Greek tales diverge radically from the dark mythic script of Greece, in which Amazon queens always suffered tragic fates. While the idea of women as men’s equals evoked emotions of awe and dread in the Greek myths, the idea of courageous, autonomous women aroused a desire for alliances and romantic companionship in other ancient cultures that came in contact with real warrior women.Outside of Greek myth, warrior women could survive battles, win victories, fall in love, and sometimes even live happily ever after.
Gen Z royals: Denmark’s Princess Isabella, Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth, Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Spain’s Princess Leonor – Getty
What makes a princess? Aside from being born to a king and queen, and possessing the ability to feel a pea beneath a pile of mattresses, non-stop access to castles and high quality jewels ranks quite highly.
But it’s 2025, and while diamonds tiaras are still an important part of being a princess, things have changed.Military service, state school and commoner boyfriends are now commonplace.
The biggest change of all though, is that now several European countries have adopted absolute primogeniture rules – meaning the first born boy or girl will inherit the throne– today’s princesses have got a much bigger chance of becoming queen.
Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands at the naming ceremony of the naval ship Den Helden in Vlissingen, Feb 21 2025 – Patrick van Katwijk/Getty
Following the death of the late Queen Elizabeth in 2022, and the abdication of Queen Margrethe of Denmark in 2024, you might have been forgiven for thinking the era of female monarchs is on the wane.As of 2025, all 10 hereditary monarchies of Europe are presided over by men.
However, over the next few decades a whole new crop of female royals will be taking centre stage across Europe. These Gen Z princesses do things differently– as we saw when Denmark’s Princess Isabella posed with her mobile phone in a candid behind the scene snap for her official 18th birthday pics (although there was still a nice tiara in evidence).
Isabella has been pipped to the post by her older brother Crown Prince Christian in terms of gaining the throne,but four other princesses will take the reins of Europe’s royal houses in the coming years. So how will their Gen Z status and more unconventional upbringings shape their approach to being rulers?
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium (born 2001)
A keen student, Princess Elisabeth is fluent in several languages and attended Atlantic College in Wales, dubbed ‘hippy Hogwarts’ – Getty
Heir apparent to King Philippe, Princess Elisabeth will make Belgian history when she ascends to the throne as the country’s first ever Queen Regnant.
Naturally, she’s fluent in Dutch, French, German and English – but despite having started her schooling in Brussels, she completed her International Baccalaureate in sunny Wales as a student of posh Atlantic College. The boarding school attracts a variety of well-heeled international students and has been dubbed“hippy Hogwarts”.
The keen student – who also attended Lincoln College, Oxford– is now at Harvard University studying a two-year master’s in public policy. She has kept her title on the down-low though, varyingly being known as Elisabeth van Belgie or Elisabeth de Saxe-Cobourg. While at Oxford, she was rumoured to have started a romance with one Nicholas Dodd, a former state school pupil from Rochdale Sixth Form College.
Princess Elisabeth attended a famously tough royal military training school in Belgium, where she learnt to shoot – Reuters
“Typically European royals not only go to university to do an undergraduate degree but they go on and do a master’s degree”, continues Prof Hazell. “That would often be in a field like international relations, because one of the main roles of a monarch as head of state is to meet lots of other heads of state and to help their country in the global arena. They often do so abroad at an English-speaking university, because English is the lingua franca of international relations. They recognise they need to be fluent [in it].”
Though the Princess has not made many public addresses, a speech made at her 18th birthday highlighted her passion for learning, enthusiasm for her role, and one particularly Gen Z area of interest: climate change.
“I share your concern for the future, in particular, the climate, and the fact that we have to find a united answer to that,” Elisabeth said. “I believe in the future – because I see how much my generation is committed to this. I share with you the same hope and will join you in making a difference.”
Like Britain’s own Princess of Wales, Catherine, Elisabeth has become something of a fashion icon. Various Belgian media outlets have reported an “Elisabeth-effect”, with clothes she wears at public engagements rapidly selling out.
Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands (born 2003)
A kindap threat meant Princess Catharina-Amalia was forced into hiding in Madrid under the protection of the Spanish royal family – Patrick van Katwijk/WireImage
Unlike Belgium, a ruling queen will be nothing unusual for the Netherlands when Catharina-Amalia succeeds her father, King Willem-Alexander.Three reigning queens have ruled in the Netherlands in succession from 1890 to 2013, when Catharina-Amalia’s grandmother, Queen Beatrix abdicated.
Catharina-Amalia spent most of her formative years in the Netherlands, educated at a state primary school, followed by the prestigious independent Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet in the Hague. In 2022, she began studying for a degree in politics, psychology, law and economics.
The princess won plaudits for declining her state-sponsored annual allowance until she began a full state role. In a handwritten note to Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte, she wrote, “On 7 December 2021 I will be 18 and, according to the law, receive an allowance. I find that uncomfortable as long as I do not do anything for it in return, and while other students have a much tougher time of it, particularly in this period of coronavirus.”
For her first month at university, Catharina-Amalia lived alongside her contemporaries in normal student housing, but was soon moved back to the royal residence. At the time, the royal family mentioned only “security threats”. In 2024, it was revealed that she had spent a year living in Madrid under the protection of the Spanish royal family due to kidnap threats by the “Mocro” mafia,a criminal organisation stemming from the Netherland’s Moroccan immigrant population.
“One can overstate the differences between the British monarchy and others: there’s always talk of bicycling monarchs and the like in Europe,” says Prof Hazell. “But as has been proved in the Netherlands, modern concerns about security are always a factor. I don’t think many of the royals in other countries can still do that kind of thing any more.”
In May 2024, Catharina-Amalia announced she would start utilising her annual £1.4m allowance for staff and operational expenses in January 2025. However, she still does not receive the quarter of a million salary which she is also entitled to.
Unlike Britain’s monarchy with their “never complain, never explain” philosophy, the Dutch monarchy is a little more relaxed. Consequently, Catharina-Amalia’s thoughts and feelings on the world are better known.
She has spoken before about receiving therapy for her mental health. “Sometimes it all gets too much for me – school, friends – and then I talk to someone,” she was quoted as saying. “If I need it, I’ll make an appointment… talking to a professional every now and then is quite normal.”
Princess Catharina-Amalia has been outspoken on her mental health issues and is a strong supporter of gay marriage – Patrick van Katwijk/Getty
Like many members of Gen Z, Catharina-Amalia is socially liberal. In an authorised biography written to celebrate her 18th birthday, the princess expressed her support for gay marriage (legal for over 20 years in Holland): “My parents have quite a lot of different friends, so I grew up not only with ‘uncle and aunt’ but ‘uncle and uncle’ and ‘auntie and auntie’”. She also wrote about wearing purple clothes to school to show support for LGBTQ people.
In the Netherlands, members of the royal family must seek the consent of parliament when they choose to marry or risk losing their place in the line of succession. Catharina-Amalia has been blunt, saying she’ll marry who she likes. “If it’s the man who supports me, who I love, who I want to spend my life with and parliament doesn’t approve, well then we’ll just have to see what I do. I can’t choose at my own expense. Then I can’t give the best for our country.” New legislation also means if she married a partner of the same sex, she wouldn’t lose the crown. In theory, at least.
“The monarchy and individual monarchs have to tread a very delicate path in terms of how far they can go ahead of public opinion,” thinks Prof Hazell. “It would be really interesting, if Catharina-Amalia wanted to enter into a same-sex marriage, to see what public attitudes would be,and what the attitudes of the government would be. The government would have to give their consent to the marriage and the government itself would want to reflect public opinion. Also, there would be concern about securing the line of succession because one of the roles of the monarch is to produce an heir, so it’s a fraught subject.”
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (born 2004)
Down-to-earth Princess Ingrid Alexandra went to state school and served as a gunner on a CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle – Getty
Unlike the other Gen Z princesses of Europe, Princess Ingrid Alexandra isn’t next in line of succession, and won’t ascend to the throne until it is vacated by both her grandfather King Harald V and father, Crown Prince Haakon.
However, she still has a huge weight of responsibility on her shoulders, having been described by some Norwegian news outlets as the last “pure hope” for the royal family which has been embroiled in a string of scandals.
Ingrid Alexandra began her education at a state primary school in Oslo. As a child she was often seen walking to school and going on class outings. She went private for a bit, to learn English at the Oslo International School, but then went back to state school.
National service is mandatory in Norway though only around 17 per cent of 19-year-olds who are conscripted are selected for military service, making it highly prestigious. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Ingrid Alexandra was accepted, following in her father’s footsteps, in January 2024. After training she served as a gunner on a CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle.
Shortly after she started her service, scandal began to engulf the Norwegian royal family. Her older half-brother Marius Borg Høiby (who has no public role) was accused of multiple counts of sexual assault,domestic violence, drug misuse, and making death threats, as well as hosting drug-fuelled parties within royal residences. He has denied the charges. In November 2024 he was arrested on suspicion of rape. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were drawn into the furore when Norwegian began to ask how much they knew of the situation and whether royal funds were used to finance Høiby’s drug habit.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra has spoken about her commitment to environmental issues, like climate change – Rune Hellestad/Getty
Perhaps to deflect from the criticism, the royal court announced Ingrid Alexandra would be extending her military service to 15 months rather than 12. But Prof Hazell is sceptical about whether it will impact Ingrid Alexandra’s future reign. “One thing I learnt from doing a comparative study is that all royal families have their black sheep,” he says. “Someone who goes off the rails. Our example is Prince Andrew. Similar questions have been raised about him and to what extent the monarchy is still funding his lifestyle – it’s not dissimilar. Monarchies tend to survive the odd scandal though. It really depends on how close to the individual monarch the scandal is. At worst this scandal might affect the Crown Prince, but you’d imagine his heir will be left out of it.”
Like other young royals, Ingrid Alexandra has spoken about her commitment to environmental issues including climate change and plastic waste. She is also a passionate sportswoman, winning a gold medal in the Norwegian junior surfing championship in 2020; her profile on the royal family’s official website explains she is also a skier and does kickboxing. Interestingly, local media also reported her first ever summer job was as a dishwasher at a local Italian restaurant.
As with all young royals, her private life has often hit the headlines. Last year she split from her boyfriend of two years, Magnus Heien Haugstad. Meanwhile, her aunt, Princess Märtha Louise, raised eyebrows when she married shaman Durek Verrett after the suicide of her husband Ari Behn.
Princess Leonor of Spain (born 2005)
Princess Leonor has been romantically linked both to fellow Atlantic college student, German Gabriel Giacomelli, and Spanish football star Pablo Gavi – Getty
The youngest direct royal heir in Europe, 19-year-old Leonor, the Princess of Asturias is also the only princess who could theoretically lose her place in the line of succession. Spain still has no laws mandating absolute primogeniture, meaning that if Leonor’s father, King Felipe, were to have a legitimate son he would become first-in-line. That’s pretty unlikely, though.
In October 2023, on her 18th birthday, Princess Leonor made their heir’s oath to swear allegiance to the kingand the constitution, officially confirming her as heir to the throne.
After attending private school’s in Madrid, Princess Leonor also went to Atlantic College in Wales, for a two-year-baccalaureate. This led to an odd coincidence where both the King of Spain and the King of the Netherlands attended the school’s graduation in 2023to see their respective daughters graduate.
Like all the other Gen Z European princesses, Leonor took part in military training. In August 2023, she began her three-year programme at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza. After a year, she transitioned from the army to naval training where she has been on a training ship since January 2025, touring Latin American countries.
When she finishes her military training, Princess Leonor is expected to study law at university – WireImage
Local media report that when Princess Leonor finishes her military training, she will study law at university.
She is widely seen as “a normal person” in Spain, where she is among the most popular member of the country’s royal family, another monarchy also beset by scandal.
There is a lot of focus on her love life, and she has been linked both to fellow Atlantic college student, German Gabriel Giacomelli and Spanish football star Pablo Gavi.
It really is important to view this series in order. The information revealed builds on itself, so that you cannot fully appreciate the posts individually. Please view the entire Series from beginning to end. The links are listed in order at the end of each post. Thank you and God bless you. In this part … Click Here to Read More
When I used to read this particular scripture I did not really understand it’s significance. God placed those words in the book so that we would understand that putting our faith and trust in ANYTHING BUT GOD is wrong. Especially those things that pagans worshiped. Pagans worshiped horses and saw them as a gift from their gods. They put their trust in TECHNOLOGY that came from the Fallen Angels. I hope that you have seen that in the information included in this POST.
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ALL PRAISE AND GLORY BE TO GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO LEADS US IN HIS TRIUMPH! 2 Corinthians 2:14
THANKS BE TO GOD WHO’S GOT THE VICTORY!! 1 Corinthians 15:57
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