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Welcome to my Oikos!
When I first tried to use this image of myself, borrowed from a world-famous tetradrachm coin, I found I had turned to dust and ashes. Back at my oikos entrance, however, I still looked quite handsome -- for a Silenos, anyway. And I've lasted over 20 centuries so far, so I'm not finished yet!
Well, now, here's a fine turn of events! No sooner do I rise from my own ashes by converting my jpg image to a png, and can now appear to the world as a fine-looking, full-bearded old Silenos (as portrayed on this one-of-a-kind, world's-most-valuable coin, a tetradrachm or 4-drachma Greek coin), than I am criticized (by a Millenium Patron, no less!), not for being an old Silenos, but for being a Socrates -- because Socrates was reputed to be ugly! It did no good to protest that Socrates is a family here at AW, with I'm sure at least a handful of good-lookers; and that Socrates, if ugly outside, was admired for his wit & wisdom, and even adored by such a good-looker as Alcibiades. As a last resort, I pointed out that if one still disapproved of my front side, I might present my backside, my reverse, where one can see a handsome image of Zeus. Well, that seemed to just raise a titter. So what can a man do?
I am, nevertheless, voted the world's most desirable, at least by its numismatists.
As for that sexy little number under my chin, I'm not sure what it is. It's not a goiter, nor a severed set of testicles. Au contraire, it may be an acorn, ancient symbol of you-know-what (Just lOOk at all those fresh green ones painted by Miichelangelo beside his naughty nudy ignudi on the pope's ceiling!). Or maybe a scarab, testimony to my immortality & many reincarnations.
(By the way: A silen is not, strictly, a satyr. A satyr is a goat-man, with goat's ears and horns, a wooly bottom, and a short tail, while a silen is a horse-man, with horse's ears and a long horse-tail. Check us out next time you see us on a Greek vase!)
Anyway, you're welcome to stay, even though I've just moved in and the place isn't properly fixed up yet for visitors. As you wander through my house you will discover places that may serve as my homebase for certain activities. In the Courtyard I'll likely conduct my social activities here at AncientWorlds and in Athens. My Library is for my historical and academic pursuits.
You can find a large-print version of my article "Raphael's School of Athens" on the ATHENS main page. If you would like a large screensize (800k.jpg) version of this painting, leave a message for me with your email address & I'll send you one.
Thanks for visiting my home!
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All Posts (7) Messages posted by Silenos
Silenos's Image Gallery
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Silenos's 1 Group
The Evolution And Legacy Of Classical Greece
Position: New Members
Level 2
"The Evolution And Legacy Of Classical Greece"
is a group dedicated to the discussion and study of the Greeks from their early migrations through their rise in power, as a culture, economic, and military force, to their
ultimate decline. (ca. 800 BC to 167 BC)
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Complete List of Silenos's 1 Groups
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