OH, THOSE WONDERFUL WOMEN OF ANTIQUITY!

Women of great beauty surely were the inspiration for two of the most spectacular female sculptures of all times – ‘Aphrodite of Melos’ (left) and ‘Nike of Samothrace’ (right).

Sometimes referred to as ‘Venus de Milo,’ the ‘Aphrodite of Melos’ was found in an underground cavern on the Greek Island of Melos. Aphrodite means Goddess of Fertility and Love. Created c200 BC and for that time and place, she was a marvel of construction with the introduction of a twisting ‘S’ curve within the female form.

The ‘Nike of Samothrace’ is also known as ‘Winged Victory.’ She was created c200 BC and found headless and fragmented into 118 pieces on the Greek Island of Samothrace. In ancient times, Samothrace was an important center of worship. Originally, the ‘Winged Victory’ adorned a ship and later she was transferred to Samothrace Island. Nikes were Goddesses of Victory that presided over all athletic and military contests. Usually they were winged and carried a wreath or palm branch.

Insert left ‘Aphrodite of Melos’ TAL757-12 or TAL757-20
Insert right ‘Nike of Samothrace’ TAL1010-23

Symbolic Woman appeared long before the Hellenistic Age as represented by ‘Venus de Milo’ and ‘Winged Victory.’ During the prehistoric eras, survival depended on food and reproduction. To help attain these necessities, humans painted animals on cave walls for successful hunts and created small female fertility sculptures such as the ‘Venus of Willenorf’ 30,000 BC (below left) and incised female forms on stone, ‘Venus of Laussel’ 22,000 BC (below center).

These fetishes or good-luck charms have been found in great numbers throughout Europe. The carvings have large hips and breasts which signifies femininity and possible pregnancy. In a civilization where lack of food was typical, the fleshy-female represented healthiness which was needed for sturdy off-spring, who could reach adulthood and perpetuate the species.

The Babylonian ‘Ishtar’ 2000 BC figurine (below right) represents the Goddess of Fertility and Nourishment. She is offering her breast in her cupped hands and as such, this type of figurine has become known as The Ishtar Pose.

Insert left ‘Venus of Willenorf’ TAL033
Insert center ‘Venus of Laussel’ TAL035
Insert right ‘Ishtar’ figurine TAL466

During antiquity, the birthing process was dangerous and often resulted in death because of limited medical knowledge and unsanitary conditions. Fear and uncertainty contributed to the evolution of rituals, midwives and witches.

European Celtic cultures flourished during the Bronze Age, 5,000-3.000 BC. Man lived in small villages and everyone contributed to storing food for winters, when they were confined to their homes. Celtic women were in charge of their homes, as well as being fortune-tellers, midwives and possibly witches.

Insert Right ‘Sheela-Na-Gig’ TAL465

Eventually, Christianity spread throughout Celtic Europe, England and Ireland and Victorian Christians destroyed Celtic images which had been incorporated into Celtic churches and private homes, usually doorways. The ‘Sheela-Na-Gig’ 850 AD (right) is just such of an example. She is the Celtic Goddess of Protection.

Another woman of mythology associated with birthing is ‘Hecate' (left). Her specific origins are not clear, possibly originating from the Egyptian midwife Goddess Hekat. In Greece, Hecate was associated with the trinity – Heaven, Earth and Underworld and she was part of the trio – Hebe the virgin, Hera the mother and Hecate the crone.

Insert Left ‘Hecate’ TAL467

In later Greek mythology, Hecate was credited with having been the Goddess of Fertility who associated herself with the Queen of Hades, Persephone – the Protector of the Underworld and Witches.

Witches were not just of Ancient Antiquity but extended into the Middle Ages and the 1400-1700’s. During those time periods millions of women were killed or burned at the stake, accused of witchcraft. It was only after knowledgeable medical and sanitary conditions were discovered that the subcultures of midwifery and witchery disappeared.

Queen Nefertiti has always been considered the most beautiful woman of Antiquity! Her name means "THE-beautiful-one-is-come" and she was the favorite wife of Akhenaton, the Egyptian king who ruled from 1379-1362 BC and who established a belief system in one God. Nefertiti influenced Egyptian royal rule; and with her husband established the new religious practice.

Insert center & large - so it can be seen clearly ‘Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and Daughters Relief’ TAL862

The Stele of ‘Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and Daughters Relief’ (above) has a window effect through which we can observe the charming domestic scene of the Royal Family worshiping the sun-god, Aten. Akhenaton kisses his oldest daughter, Meretaten, while another daughter, Mekeaten, plays on Nefertiti’s lap and the youngest, Ankhesenpaaten, is handling Nefertiti’s earring. The sun-god, Aten, is extending it’s life-giving rays to the Royal Family. Nefertiti’s importance is shown by her being almost the same size as King Akhenaton.

A Nefertiti eulogy inscription found on an Akhetaten boundary stele reads:
And the Heiress, Great in the Palace, Fair of Face, Adorned with the Double Plumes, Mistress of Happiness, Endowed with Favors, at hearing whose voice the King Rejoices, the Chief Wife of the King, his beloved, the Lady of Two Lands, Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti, May she live for Ever and Always.

Most women of antiquity were not as blessed as Nefertiti. Just for survival, they worked very hard and many participated in or suffered the consequences of wars.

The warrior’s ‘warrior’ was Athena (below left). She was the Warrior of Wisdom, Warrior of Skills of War, one of twelve Olympians at Mt. Olympus where plans for society were created, and she was the Defender of Zeus. The Greeks of Antiquity built the Parthenon, just for her. So great was their respect for their Goddess of Athens.

Built on the Acropolis at Athens c421–405 BC is the Erechtheum. It contained sanctuaries to Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheus. Normal Greek Temples were rectangular with outside columns lining all four sides; but this temple was designed differently and was much more complex. It was built on a sloping site, had three sanctuaries, a huge western section and porticos extending on three sides of the building. The southern portico is known as the Porch of the Carytids because of it’s six sculpted draped female figures known as ‘Maiden Columns’ who support the entablature (below center).

According to Roman writer, Vitruvius, the Carytid Columns acquired their name when the Caryae sided with the Persians during an unsuccessful invasion. As punishment, the women of the town were required to relinquish their positions and to perform hard labor.

Insert ‘Athena with Shield and Sword’ TAL698
Insert ‘Caryatid Column’ (3965)
Insert ‘Coyolxauhqui Wall Hanging’ TAL753

But at least, Athena and the Maidens retained their lives. As told in Aztec mythology, ‘Coyolxauhgui, Moon Goddess,’ was not as fortunate (above right). Her story is an explanation for the celestial phenomenon of the moon’s 30-day birth and death cycles.

Coatlique was Earth and mother to Coyolxauhgui and four-hundred stars. Coyolxauhgui witnessed her mother’s strange impregnation by a ball-of-feathers that floated down from the sky. Coyolxauhgui talked her siblings into killing their mother. Just as they began, Huitzilopochtli, the Sun, was born fully armed with a fire serpent, Xiuhcoatl, which he used to decapitate his sister. He then cast Coyolxauhgui down from the top of Coatepec Hill. As she fell she was dismembered with each turn. According to legend, each month these events are repeated.

Whether based on reality, myths or legends, Women of Antiquity have left lasting impressions throughout the centuries. How did their stories originate? Why were their stories told and retold, creating what we know today? Complete answers are unknown; but artistic interpretations of the women have remained. Fortunately, we can enjoy the images and contemplate the possible reasons of origins.

Happy Mother’s Day!

POSSIBLE LINKS TO TALARIA PAGES: GREEK-ROMAN SCULPTURE, FEMALE – PAGE 1; ANTIQUE GODDESSES; GREEK WALL HANGINGS; EGYPTIAN WALL HANGINGS; PRECOLUMBIAN WALL HANGINGS