My OperaMYSTERY RITUAL AT ...VILLA...OF...THE... MYSTERIES...Part...I
Friday, January 7, 2011 12:11:12 PM
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What Really Happened Here Is A Mystery , Only They Know The Truth.
the Dominance in Scene I
the INITIATE (first image) in Scene II
the Priestess in Scene II
the Naked Boy in Scene II
the INITIATE (second image) in Scene II
Villa Of The Mysteries
Pompeii 50 - 60 BC
The Villa was on a hill with a sea view. A round exedra and platformed patios facing the sea made a fine area for outdoor entertainment.
The Villa of the Mysteries as it would have looked before the 79 AD eruption. It was built on the southeastern slope of Mount Vesuvius , a short distance outside the Herculaneum gate. To make a level site , an artificial platform was built , the spaces below the platform being used for storage and later as cellars for the winery installed late in the structure's history. The side to the left of the picture and the side facing the viewer had good views of the sea. The side to the right of the picture contained servants'/slave quarters and work areas. The main entrance was on the side away from the viewer , and it was on both sides of that entrance that more rooms associated with agriculture and wine making were added.
In the " working " section of the Villa , there is a wine - pressing room (turcularium) where there is a reconstructed grape press. Until the time of the 79 AD eruption , Pompeii wines were considered to be the best in the empire. But excess in food and drink consumption was entirely disapproved , and public drunkenness was a sign of weakness and would cause disgrace which was a major factor with Mark Anthony's reputation and later with Claudius.
THE LAST DAY
The Eruption Of Mount Vesuvius In 79 AD
Mount Vesuvius A.D. 79
by Jean - Baptiste Gèmillion (1750 - 1829)
Famous graffito , assumed to be VESPASIAN
One of Pompeii's most famous graffito caricatures was uncovered in the Villa of the Mysteries. It has long been thought to represent Vespasian who died peacefully at Aquae Cutiliae near his birthplace in Sabine country on 23 June , 79 AD , after contracting a brief illness , often said to have been dysentery.
A month later , his son and successor visited Pompeii to dedicate a new altar in front of the temple of the Imperial Cult in the forum , and just a month after that came the big Vesuvius eruption. Portrait and coins of Vespasian show a tightly contracted face , which , his enemies said , made him look permanently constipated. Ironic that he may have died of the opposite.
LIVIA
This statue , now in the Naples Archeological Museum , was found in the Villa of the Mysteries. It is usually identified as Livia , the wife of Augustus because of its similarity to other portrait statues identified as Livia. The costume , and particularly the scarf over the top of the head , makes it a " priestess " statue in modern archeological parlance , although any matron would be so attired at prayer - it is assumed that only a priestess would rate a statue.
Egyptian Entertainment Room
The Villa of the Mysteries has entertainment rooms decorated in particular themes. This one is Egyptian , and on an expensive background of burnished black. The cost of room background colors from dearest to cheapest , is thought to be as follows : black , dark blue or brown , red or yellow , white. This villa has a lot of black. Except in temples of Isis and Isis priestly quarters , there appears to be no knowledge or care about what is shown in " Egyptian " rooms : temples and priestly quarters presumably had real imported Egyptian priest to keep things honest.
" Egyptianism " was regaining its popularity after falling into disrepute because of the affairs of Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony with Cleopatra. At about the same time this room was decorated (after the 60s earthquakes) , Nero caused another obelisk to be shipped from the Alexandria port to decorate the spina of his new circus on the Vatican Hill , and the Isis mystery cult was very popular in Pompeii.
Villa Of The Mysteries ; Outside View
The frescoes from the Villa of the Mysteries outside Pompeii are quite famous and serve as one of the few non - Christian records of the mystery religions of the Greeks. At the time they were discovered in 1909 they were considered a great masterpiece for the celebrated era.
The frescoes beginning from the left on the north wall then to the east and complete on the third south wall. The chamber is entered through an opening located between the first and last scenes of the fresco , the door is in the west wall. The Initiation Chamber measures 15 by 25 feet , and is located in the front of the Villa on the right side.
The term " mysteries " refers to secret initiation rites of the Classical world. The Greek word for " rite " means " to grow up. " This ancient fresco cycle depicts statuesque women engaged in activities that have often been connected with the initiation of a young woman into the mysteries of the cult of Dionysus in preparation for marriage.
Dionysiac initiation is entry into the Dionysiac community , the thiasos. The thiasos is a mythical community , a collective power capable of insuring a blessed afterlife. Through initiation an initiate become a mythical follower of Dionysus , a Maenad or a Satyr and insured a place in the underworld after the current life passed.
Frescoes From THE INITIATION ROOM
Mystery Cult Of Dionysus (Dionysos In Greek)
The Dionysus cult was also a Greek import , but because of its wild and contrarian nature it was not subject to gradual sophistication. The more " standard " or orthodox Roman and Greek " pagan " cults , on the contrary , were usually quite open and public.
Bacchus (Roman name) was another name for Dionysus , and some sources say that the Bacchus name was originally onomatopoeic.
The Dionysus cult initiation fresco in the Villa of the Mysteries have been variously interpreted as a number of scenes of one woman's initiation or scenes of a number of women being initiated. Everyone agrees that it's the Dionysian cult that she/they are joining. It's universally agreed that this cycle of frescoes is the most complete and perhaps the only full depiction of the initiation ceremony that has been seen anywhere. Since there is almost complete silence about Dionysian initiation in the ancient written literature this has become the standard source on the subject.
Unlike the Christian , Isis , Mithraic , and Orphic cults the Dionysus cult left behind no known " scriptures " and little in the form of pictorial representation , so there is a lot of guesswork in the interpretation of Dionysus rituals.
It's appropriate that a female initiation rite would be pictured in the Villa with a winery. It's most often assumed that the initiate would have been a wife or daughter of the house , but it's also possible that the frescoes were simply homage to the god who protected the livelihood of the establishment. Or both.
Dionysian Mystery Cult
Scene I - the DOMINANCE , priestess who assists with careful detachment to it throughout the rite.
This figure has been identified as : the mother of the bride , the mistress of the Villa , or the bride herself.
Scene II - the CATECHESIS or Reading Of The Ritual
The second scene shows a naked boy , perhaps representing the divine , androgynous Dionysus , reading from a scroll with three participants listening. The officiating priestess (behind the boy) holds another scroll in her left hand and a stylus in her right hand.The women first hear sacred readings and prepare a ritual or sacred meal.
The ceremony begins with offerings to the ancestors which are left out in the open. The time is now at hand where the initiate is first called to adventure by a herald , signifying that " the time for the passing of a threshold is at hand. " To follow will be glimpses into the world of Dionysus and his story of death , resurrection and divine marriage with Ariadne.
The community's creation story would make an apt first reading in the effort to create a ritual space. It would not be the initiates first exposure to the story , but it is intended to be the most memorable experience of the story in their lifetime.
The key to initiation is recognizing that they have reached a turning point , and are aware of being in a period of transition between the past and the future. Typically , prior to the ceremony , the initiands will have undergone seclusion at some distance from the community , accompanied by instruction.
This period of isolation might be punctuated with purification , beatings , contests , special food , and special dress. The conscious awareness of entering a transitional state allows this initiate to reflect on perhaps discarding certain behavioral or emotional patterns which will be no longer valid for the " new " circumstances , and consciously take up new ones.
THE INITIATE , carries an offering tray of sacramental cake. She wears a myrtle wreath. In her right hand she holds a laurel sprig.
The action of the rite begins with THE INITIATE crossing the threshold as the preparations for the rites to begin. Her wrist is cocked against her hip. (Is she pregnant ?)
End Of Part I
There are few written records about mystery religions and initiation rites. Any iconographic interpretation is bound to be flawed. Nevertheless , an interpretation is offered. See if you agree or disagree. And in the end , the only thing we are left is still the wonderful frescoes , ... and the MYSTERY. Go to PART II | PART III
