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Hammurabi’s laws are generally believed to be the oldest written laws, though that is not the case. The (mostly)preserved laws of Ur-Nammu predate these by about three centuries, and there is mention of older codices that have not yet been found (oh, the possibilities!) Hammurabi’s code, though remains the better-known and better-preserved legal codex, dating … Continue reading
Very awful joke I know, but I couldn’t resist. This is an artist’s impression of how Augusta Raurica must have looked in its heyday, cast in metal.
This is the view of the arena from the Gladiator’s cell. Looking through the open door wasn’t so bad, but as soon as you turn your gaze to the barred door you feel trapped, even thought an open door is right alongside. This is the view from the dais above, a commanding, sun-kissed view of … Continue reading
The gladiator’s arena at Augusta Raurica. A nice 15 minute walk from the temple and theatre, this piece is set among some nice trees and has been only partially recovered. What you see in front is the stage where the guests of honour would sit under a cloth awning. the two small doors under the … Continue reading
On the walk towards the gladiator’s arena, I passed this hillock… All I wanted was a spade and I would have gone mad.
One of the exits from the amphitheatre, the walk out today leads to this : Imagine having your morning coffee in that little balcony every day, looking at the entrance to an historic stage…..
This would have been your view if you stood, as an actor, upon the stage at the amphitheatre at Augusta Raurica….would you have had the audience eating out of the palm of your hand?
Sitting on the top stair of the temple (only the platform remains of the once proud edifice), this is the vista that greets you, a huge amphitheatre, the stage right in the middle of the canvas here. I had to sacrifice the sky but you’ll get to see more of it in coming posts. I’ve … Continue reading
After grinding the grain, we sifted the flour, then added a little salt, yeast (cheated a little here, the Romans used beer foam), and honey. Leaving it for a while for the dough to rise then all of us molded our own personal loaves. Guess which one’s mine?
The oven is heated with wood, to super-heat the tiles. The embers are removed and the tile floor cleaned of any extraneous ash, and is ready to receive the dough for baking. That little area right next to the oven was where the embers were put; a pot of broth or some meat or veggies … Continue reading
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