Beauty in the apertures of pain

C.S. Lewis, from ‘Till We Have Faces’ 

If you’re about to do something to impress a man, don’t

 Ancient  “Skeleton Mosaic” Interpreted Incorrectly  

In April 2016, archaeologists excavating in the ancient city of Antioch in Turkey uncovered a floor mosaic within the remains of a dining room. The mosaic is believe to date to the 3rd century BCE and depicts a skeleton lying down with a drinking vessel in his hand and a wine pitcher and bread on the side. The scene contains a message which was initially believed to have said “Be Cheerful, Enjoy your Life.” The “Skeleton Mosaic” gathered a lot of attention from the press to the point that the story went viral on social media. The mosaic was even dubbed as an “ancient meme” by the internet. 

However, new studies on the mosaic mes suggest that the ‘eat, drink, and be merry’ message of the initial interpretation is actually incorrect. 

 The inscription on the skeleton mosaic is the Greek word EUPHROSYNOS, which means something like ‘happy’ or ‘in good cheer.’  This inscription alone suggests a positive interpretation. However, the press ignored the second half of the mosaic, which depicts a man reaching for a sundial with the words TRECHEDEIPNOS (which literally translates to ‘the person who runs to dinner’) and  AKAIROS (meaning ‘ill-timed’ or ‘pesky’). The second panel seems to be the key to unlocking the true message of the mosaic

There have been many interpretations proposed by scholars as to what the mosaic is actually trying to say. One interpretation comes from researcher Murat Bardakçı, who claims that the mosaic says “You get the pleasure of the food you eat hastily with death.”  Classicist David Meadows, posted another interpretation on his blog rogueclassicism, in which he claims that the mosaic is visually portraying the idea that “only the dead are happy.”  Finally, archaeologist Nikos Tsivikis proposes a hypothesis on his blog which states that not only does the mosaic actually date to Late Antiquity (Late 2nd-4th century CE), but that it is satirical in nature, and is inspired by the works of the Late Roman poet and philosopher, Alciphron. 

Unfortunately, there is a third part to the mosaic that was not preserved, so archaeologists may not be able to completely decipher the sentiments the “Skeleton Mosaic” is trying to express. But I think everyone can agree that the mosaic is definitely unique piece of art that’s going to have archaeologists and classicists alike scratching their heads for years. 

Confucius 

Don Miguel Ruiz. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom  (via thesextape)

 Miguel Ruiz (via brosetta-stone)

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (via wordsnquotes)

Zora Neale Hurston (via rippedoutpagesofmymind)

Eckhart Tolle  (via bongworship)

Dr. Robert J. Sternberg (via anenlighteningellipses)

Osho (via electrichoney)