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Meloncholy of the Antique World |
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written
by justinvf / 10.24.2005 |
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| melancholy of the antique world |
1 of 1 |
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Part 1: |
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Men are making gods, and thus what are gods? Confronted by trespassers injected into the once haloed halls of Jupiter and Saturn, the plebian must have wondered at the validity of religious institutions which previously felt so real. The temples, the priests, the rituals... all are mirrored in these recent deifications, but with origins known the once pervasive magic of the gods is tragically dispelled. Just as Caesar was deified, it seems no leap to see Jupiter as another progeny of megalomania; the illusion of primordially existent gods stolen by this royal interloping. Thus the individual, ultimately unable to tell himself a lie must bear this assault to his religious foundation. Sensation beyond one’s inevitable ashes is a prayer, but never again a conviction.
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Part 2: |
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Beliefs husked away by this coup, the Roman falls into a period of hedonism. Mass produced friezes adorn the tombs of the wealthy, advertising to the world the strength and riches of these men in life. The now important question is whether once dead it can be said that one lived life to excess, gorged on existence. To those with the means the answer was often yes, while those lacking compelled their children to live the dream which eluded them. The distractions from this plight are seen frescoed on the ancient walls. Life is a deep red color, centered on passion. Fake architecture is painted on with little regard for aesthetics. What can’t be achieved in ones mansion is faked: doorways to brick, pillars of plaster, and windows looking out on nothing. That was not important though; it’s what everyone is doing.
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