Today we went to Syracuse (not New York, obviously but I felt the need to clarify), we looked at a historical site and then a museum. It was pretty rainy out in the beginning of the day but it ended up being a really nice day. There were cats everywhere at this site, we were all quite happy about this. First we looked at a Roman Amphitheater, all that was left was ruins but it was really cool to see (plus there aren't a lot of tourists in these parts so it's more enjoyable). There was a massive altar we looked at, it was hard to imagine the size the offerings had to be to require such a large altar (poor cow cows and other animals, they never had a chance). Then there was a theater (not the same as an amphitheater) which was still much intact and we could walk on most of it. At the top of the theater were acropoli (tombs basically) and I went and explored all of them (don't worry there were no bodies, that would be creepy). We walked through the ancient quarry at this area that supplied all the rock to make the theater and altar among other things, This quarry was super cool, there was a large cave thing that we went in and it had awesome acoustics. It was a nice break from the humidity to go to the museum. I think we were the only people in this museum (win for RMC!). There were a lot of pots and libation vessels and ceramics in general but my favorite part of the museum was the hellenistic section. The hellenistic period is the last section of Greek art before the Roman's took over and it became Roman art. There are so many beautiful pieces made in this time period (it spans quite a large time period too, 323 BC- 31 BC) all my favorite sculptures come from here. In the museum there were roman copies of the greek originals because the originals are no longer available. My favorites in this museum were of Hercules and one of Venus. I can't even begin to describe their beauty and skill. So I'll just have to show you.
This guy was paying outside of the site, it was pretty awesome he had a whole herd of cats around him.
The amphitheater.
The theater.
Dead body holders!
The outside of the cave, look at how big it is! It was used as a prison once because the ruler liked that he could hear the screams so well in here (creepy fact of the day).
Inside of the prison cave.
This tree is by far the coolest tree ever, I think it was a magnolia or something like that but whatever it is I want one.
Yay pretty flowers.
This boat has been beached! Oh no!
Hibiscus flower. So pretty.
I loved this sculpture with the snake wrapping around her arm.
Venus, just look at that drapery! I just can;t imagine making stone look so magnificent!
This one is of an old fisherman, I loved that it was not of an idealized body but of a haggard man who has worked his whole life.
Hercules, this one was actually quite small like only a foot and a half tall, but the detail man!
Another look at the Venus.
Those hands! So freaking cool!
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