Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="Ocatarinetabellatchitchix, post: 5141347, member: 99554"]Novembre 21st 130 AD Hadrian and Sabina were both in Egypt for about 3 months, continuing their exploration of this important part of the Empire despite the recent and tragic death of Antinous, the Emperor's favorite. They now arrived at Thebes, the former capital of Egypt, where they visited the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous stone statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III. Including the stone platforms on which they stand – themselves about 13 ft – the colossi reach a towering 60 feet in height and weigh an estimated 720 tons each. The northern statue had the reputation to "sing" on various occasions – always within an hour or two of sunrise, usually right at dawn. The earliest report in literature is that of the Greek historian Strabo, who claimed to have heard the sound during a visit in 20 BC, by which time it apparently was already well known. The legend of the "Singing Memnon", the luck that hearing it was reputed to bring, and the reputation of the statue's oracular powers became known outside of Egypt, explaining the reason why many Emperors visited the place. Scientists and researchers think that the cause of the sound was due to a rise in heat and humidity, playing off one large, cracked stone. <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Colossi_of_Memnon_May_2015_2.JPG/1920px-Colossi_of_Memnon_May_2015_2.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> Anyway, on November 21st, Hadrian and his wife were there and they clearly heard the statue sing ! The Imperial couple was accompanied by Julia Balbilla, a court poet and friend of Hadrian and also companion or lady in waiting to Sabina. Balbilla inscribed three epigrams in Aeolic Greek, known as 'epigrammata', on the legs of the Colossi of Memnon. Here they are : When with the August Sabina I Stood Before Memnon: Memnon, son of Aurora and holy Tithon, seated before Thebes, city of Zeus, or Amenoth, Egyptian King, as learned. Priests recount from ancient stories, greetings, and singing, welcome her kindly, the August wife of the emperor Hadrian. A barbarian man cut off your tongue and ears: Impious Cambyses; but he paid the penalty, with a wretched death struck by the same sword point with which pitiless he slew the divine Apis. But I do not believe that this statue of yours will perish, I saved your immortal spirit forever with my mind. For my parents were noble, and my grandfathers, the wise Balbillus and Antiochus the king. When on the first day We didn't hear Memnon: Yesterday Memnon received [Hadrian's] wife in silence, so that the beautiful Sabina might come back here again. For the lovely form of our queen pleases you. When she arrives, send forth a divine shout, so the king won't be angry with you. As it is now, you've fearlessly detained for too long his noble wedded wife. And Memnon, trembling at the power of Hadrian, suddenly spoke, and she rejoiced to hear it. P.S.: About 70 years later, the Emperor Septimius Severus visited the famous Colossi of Memnon to hear the singing of the statue; he heard nothing... So in memory of this event, please show us your coins related to Hadrian, Sabina, Egypt or whatever you like ! Hadrian drachm Alexandria130-131 AD  33 mm 22.30gHadrian greeted by Alexandria[ATTACH=full]1206320[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]

Log in or Sign up

Reply to Thread

Useful Searches