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Homer, one of Europe's greatest poets, is best known for two epic (very long) poems, which treat themes associated with the Trojan War fought around 1184 B.C. The first of [...]

Every country has layers of history laid by people who successively dominated the scene. The many layers of history in Turkey, which lies partly in Europe and partly in Asia, [...]

This essay deals with the stone anciently termed basanite and its identification, with particular attention paid to its privileging by members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty for their images, suggesting reasons for its choice and possible interpretations of its meaning. In so doing, the essay passes in review the ability of classically trained sculptors to create works in native, Egyptian hard stones in a classicizing idiom which, among other factors, contributed to the Hellenization of Roman Egypt. more...

AbstractWestern and Islamic societies suffer from a common ailment—their citizens are losing trust in the basic integrity of their political institutions. There is a growing sense that systematic injustices are the core reasons behind economic, political and social crises. The result is a global decline of political authority. Embattled liberals in the West and the Islamic world want to bolster struggling democracies, new and old. Both groups see religion as indispensable in coping with chronic crises of legitimacy. Western liberalism’s sense of vulnerability is paving the way for a rediscovery of Islamic Modernism. Western liberals hope that open-minded Muslims can help them combat fundamentalisms of all stripes, including extremist tendencies surging in America and Europe. Today’s Islamic Modernists comprise an influential network of writers, interest groups and activists that can be valuable allies in transnational struggles for democracy and religious tolerance. more...

Opinion. Recounts the author's journey on Lake Nasser, in the Nile, Egypt, where he sought Nubian antiquity. History of Nubia; Places flooded by the creation of Lake Nasser; Efforts made by organizations to save Nubian monuments; Description of various sites viewed by the author during his journey. more...

Presents information on books pertaining to the link of Faiyum portraits and pharaonic religious beliefs. Characteristics of Faiyum portraits; Composition of the paintings; `Portrait of Mummies from Roman Egypt,' by Lorelei H. Corcoran; `The Mysterious Fayum Portraits, Faces from Ancient Egypt,' by Euphrosyne Doxiadis. more...

Discusses attempts of 'Cleopatra's Egypt: Age of the Ptolemies' to re-define traditional notions about Ptolemaic art and culture. Exhibition pieces; Role of the exhibition in changing the public's perception of Cleopatra VII; Sources about the life of Cleopatra VII; Schedule of the exhibition. more...

The presence of the epithet sȝ ỉmnwithin the cartouches containing the great name of Alexander in a relief (FGA-ARCH-EG-0162), from an inner door jamb of the Temple of Thoth at Hermopolis, suggests that the oracular pronouncement at Siwa on which it is based was not exclusively intended for the Hellenes, but was simultaneously adopted by the native Egyptians. The suggested role that Petosiris may have played in the dissemination of that oracular pronouncement and the possible associations of a ram-horned Amun with Ptah at Memphis suggest a greater degree of intercultural cooperation between Hellenes and Egyptians than heretofore acknowledged. That cooperation is part of a documentable continuum which began in the Saite Period and continued into the Roman Imperial Period. more...

Reviews two video series about mummies. `Mummies and the Wonders of Ancient Egypt,' produced by the Arts & Entertainment Network in association with Greystone Communications Inc.; `Resurrection of an Ancient Art: Mummification,' by Thomas H. Wood. more...

Reports on Liani and Manos Souvaltzi's claims that they have discovered the site of Alexander the Great's tomb at the Siwa Oasis in Egypt. Competent authorities' agreement on Alexandria as tomb site; Souvaltzi's previous `discovery' of tomb; Announcement of most recent `find' at press conference. more...

Describes an exhibition of works from the reign of Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III, held at the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1992. Organization of the exhibition by Arielle P. Kozloff, Cleveland's curator of ancient art, and Betsy M. Bryan of the Johns Hopkins University; Revelation of how both religious and ideological tenets are reflected in Egyptian visual arts; Portraits of Amenhotep III included in the exhibition; Display of New Kingdom objects such as cosmetic or ointment spoons. more...

Describes the site of New Kalabsha in Egypt, a reconstructed archaeological park that contains several monuments from Nubia. Archaeological and historic considerations; Current archaeological project underway. more...

Collection Fondation Gandur pour l'Art, Genève, Inv. FGA-ARCH-RA-0199. Thymiaterion, or incense burner (bronze, 17.9 cm), Roman Imperial Period. The object consists of several separated cast and anciently joined elements: a human-headed bird; a cobra, with linear ornamentation; a flaring shaft to which is attached the profiled circular censor. more...

Abstract:Islamic Globalization is a combination of religious, economic, political, and diplomatic advances that are transforming the Muslim world. Its building blocks are the hajj and religious travel, capitalism and Islamic finance, democracy and Islamic Modernism, as well as new international regimes tailored to the varied needs and tastes of Muslims in diverse cultures. Islamic Globalization allows modern Muslims to join the mainstream of international life and to reform it at the same time. These are also China’s goals, particularly as Chinese leaders express greater interest in soft power; eager to identify with visions of civilizational exchange and global governance. more...

Abstract:The Islamic world has its own dreams of resurgence and global influence. They know that most of the mega-networks that China envisions will retrace the ancient routes of Muslim traders, seafarers, and pilgrims–routes that form the sinews of a thriving world civilization that can become the equal of China and the West. Citizens of Muslim nations are well-aware that their governments are paying Beijing for these projects with their national patrimony, and they are demanding that the benefits accrue to ordinary people and their descendants. more...

The article discusses the history of Turkey. The country shows a rich mix of Europe and Asia, and it is most evident in the streets of Istanbul, Turkey's largest and most famous city. Eastern Turkey is dominated by migrated people from Asia, whereas western Turkey is dominated by the ancient Greeks and the Romans. Mosques, churches and synagogues coexist in modern Istanbul and citizens of Turkish, Kurdish, and Sephardic origins live side by side. Farming is the main occupation in Eastern Turkey. more...

A personal narrative is presented which describes the author's experience of shooting 4x5 photographs using Gowland View Camera and a Fuji 135 mm lens.

In this trading strategy study, we ask three questions: does momentum exist in foreign exchange markets?What is the impact of transaction costs on excess returns? Can a consolidated trading signal garner excess returns and if so, what is the source of such returns? Using total return momentum strategies in the foreign exchange markets of the G7 for the period 1980 through 2004, the answers from this study are as follows: we find evidence of momentum; however, such momentum appears transitory, particularly for longer lookback periods. As expected, transaction costs have a material negative impact on excess returns. Finally, a consolidated signal garners excess returns; however, a bootstrap simulation finds that the source of these returns is a function of autocorrelation. more...

The gastric antisecretory effects of SC-29333, a novel prostaglandin E1 analog, were compared to the reference standard PGE1 methyl ester (PGE>1ME) in gastric fistula and Heidenhain pouch dogs. Secretion was stimulated submaximally by continuous intravenous infusion of either histamine or pentagastrin. Meal-stimulated gastric secretory studies were also conducted. SC-29333 effectively inhibited volume, acid output, and pepsin secretion, in a dose-dependent manner. Intravenously (i.v.), SC-29333 was found to be approximately 30 times more potent than PGE1ME. The ranges of active i.v. bolus doses for SC-29333 and PGE1ME were 0.3–3.0 and 10–30 µg/kg, respectively. Unlike PGE1ME, SC-29333 was orally effective at doses of 10–30 µg/kg and was considerably better tolerated and longer acting than PGE1ME at active antisecretory doses. It is concluded, therefore, that SC-29333 is a potent, long-acting, orally effective inhibitor of gastric secretion in the dog. more...

The gastric antisecretory actions of prostaglandin E1 methyl ester (PGE1ME) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were evaluated in unanesthetized gastric fistula rhesus monkeys. Basal and stimulated gastric secretory studies were conducted. Multiple subcutaneous injections of either histamine or pentagastrin were given hourly for four consecutive hours. When a constant plateau of gastric secretion was reached, the PGs were administered as a single intravenous bolus at doses of 10–100 µg/kg. PGE1ME inhibited basal, histamine-, and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric secretion. PGE2 was found to inhibit the histamine-stimulated gastric secretion. The PGs showed greater sensitivity to the inhibition of acid concentration rather than the volume of secretion. The PGs significantly altered gastric juice concentration of hydrogen and sodium ion inversely, while potassium and chloride concentration were not altered. These experiments suggest that the rhesus monkey is a useful species for studying the gastric antisecretory effects of E prostaglandins. more...

Examines the epic poems `Iliad' and the `Odyssey' written by Homer, an ancient Greek poet. Heroes of the two poems; Dactylic hexameter; Rhythm of the poetry; Principal dialect of both poems.

Features Arsinoe II, Macedonian queen of ancient Egypt during the Ptolemaic period (305 to 30 B.C.). Origins of the story of Arsinoe II; Marriage to Lysimachus; Experience in managing foreign lands; Identification with various Egyptian goddesses; Death. more...

Focuses on the Sea Peoples who lived during the Late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean. Domination by Egyptians and Hittites during the era; Piracy of Egyptian and Hittite trading sea vessels traveling the Mediterranean by the Sea Peoples; Pact between the two superpowers to protect one another against other aggressors; Realization of threat posed by Sea Peoples on the two superpowers. more...

Focuses on the reign of Justinian as emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Marriage with Theodora; Role of Justinian, Theodora and Belisarius in the construction of the Haghia Sophia church. INSET: The law codes of Justinian.. more...

Focuses on the Egyptians as pioneers in many aspects of maritime exploration. Start of their mastery of the seas as early as 2000 B.C.; Exploration of the areas beyond the Red Sea; `Tales of the Shipwrecked Sailor,' preserved on papyrus, as a fairy tale about a brave skipper who ventures into unknown waters; Trading expedition launched by Queen Hatshepsut. more...

Looks at the beliefs of ancient civilizations found in Egypt and Greece concerning snakes. Cobra's lack of need of sleep; Legend of Apophis; Snake monsters in the epic of Gilgamesh; Snake worship in ancient Crete; Medusa; Snake as protector of women in ancient Rome. more...

Features places of interest in the extinct cities of Ephesus and Pergamon along the west coast of Turkey. Ruins of Temple of Artemis in Ephesus; Library of Celsus at Ephesus; Great Altar in Pergamon; Asklepeion as ancient hospital in Pergamon. more...

Presents information on the calendar in ancient Egypt. Predicting the movement of the moon, stars and the sun; Intervals in which the River Nile swells with water; Use of observations of the sky as a means for measuring time. more...

Discusses the history of bread in ancient Egypt. Farming and irrigation; Equipment; Process description of bread baking; Importance of bread to the Egyptians; Religious aspects.

Features the civilization of the Nubians. Overlooking by history books of the black African civilization; Development of agriculture and domestication of long-horned cattle; Leather garments made from the tanned hides from their herds; Deffufa as largest structure in the modern-day city of Kerma; Display of Nubian art in galleries. more...

Pharmacological actions of a new autonomic ganglion blocking agent, 2,6-dimethyl-1, 1-diethyl piperidinium bromide (SC-1950), are described. These chiefly result from autonomic ganglion blockade.

Five synthetic compounds were compared with dehydrocholic acid in anesthetized acute biliary fistula dogs. Measurements were made of bile volume, cholic acid and total solids excretion for ten hours. Each agent was administered by vein to dogs selected for a mean weight of approximately 13.5 kgm. Doses were based on equal fractions (1/77) of the acute mouse intraperitoneal LD50, which gave a dose of 20 mgm./kgm. for dehydrocholic acid. more...

Reduction with zinc in neutral or acidic medium or catalytic hydrogenation of phenyl(trichloromethyl)-carbinol (1) gives β,β-dichlorostyrene (2), β-chlorostyrene (3), and phenyl(dichloromethyl)carbinol (4). β,β-Dichlorostyrene is the sole product of reduction of phenyl(trichloromethyl)carbinyl methyl ether with zinc and acetic acid. Lithium in liquid ammonia reduces the trichloromethyl group of 1to give α-phenethyl alcohol (5) in low yield; acetophenone and β-phenethyl alcohol have been identified as byproducts of this reaction.Clemmensen reduction of 1,1,1-trichloro-2-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-heptanone (6) does not yield the expected 1,1,1-trichloro-6-methyl-2-heptanol; instead, 1,1-dichloro-6-methyl-1-hepten-4-one (7) and 1,1-dichloro-6-methyl-l-heptene (8) are formed as the main reaction products. Long reflux time, efficient stirring, and the employment of a large excess of amalgamated zinc and concentrated hydrochloric acid favor the formation of 8while 7is obtained in high yield when sulfuric acid is used instead of hydrochloric acid.A mechanism for the reduction of trichloromethylcarbinols (1and 6) with zinc has been proposed, 7being postulated as an intermediate in the formation of 8. more...

Discusses the Calif.-based J. Paul Getty Museum's acquisition of the marble kouros believed to have been created in Greece during the sixth century B.C. Cost of sculpture; Controversy over authenticity of kouros sculpture; Subjectiveness of art historical methodology; Arguments of scholars on the authenticity of the kouros. more...

Elaborates on the search for the tomb of Alexander the Great. Last wish; Plans for burial; Mephis burial; Transfer to Alexandria; Location at the crossroads of Alexandria; Attempts to locate tomb; Excavations. more...

The article discusses the aesthetic quality of Egyptian art as shown in the artworks of collector Christos G. Bastis at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City. Some of these artworks include the "King Taharga," the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty "Shepenwepet II" and the Thirtieth Dynasty "Head." Discussion of these artworks as well as Bastis other works is offered. more...

Focuses on the discovery of ancient Egyptian, Persian and Greco-Roman pottery in a workshop at the site of Athribis in Egypt. Development of narrow chronological periods for Egyptian art.

Provides observations about Egyptology as a profession and the manipulation of ancient Egyptian wisdom to posit information about ancient mathematical practices. Consideration of the applications of numerological properties up until 1882; Reference to the book 'Our Inheritance in the Great Pyramid' by Piazzi Smyth; more...