Ruins and Fortune
An archaeologist unearths the divine feminine, one archetype at a time...
At the westernmost end of the Roman Empire, in the hills of what is now central Portugal, sit the ruins of Conimbriga, a bustling settlement that once supported over 10,000 citizens. Today, the site is known for the best preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy.
The site has gorgeous mosaics
And the remains of a large complex of baths with an underground heating system
A central courtyard has been partially restored with beautiful plantings and a fountain
Surrounded by figural mosaics of gods and goddesses
The people of ancient Conimbriga were indeed lucky to live in such a lush natural setting
in which all their needs were taken care of
So perhaps it is no coincidence
that their inhabitants worshipped the deity of luck and chance
and purveyor of bounty
the Roman goddess Fortuna.
O, Fortuna!
ReplyDeleteThose mosaics are impeccably-rendered, Sis. I can just imagine all of the images you're not posting. You must have such a fine collection.
Those ancient Romans never fail to amaze me. I wish I could see the Empire in its heyday.
ReplyDeleteSo ingenious and also warriors. We seem to have followed the same path. I like to think we as a species have evolved and I wonder why we have not too evolved in how we deal with conflict . Then I see this, and Pompeii and I'm reminded they then and we now are equally intelligent. Maybe my wish for the evolution of non violent conflict is just unrealistic :-(
ReplyDeleteYou walk on so much sacred ground, Amanda xo
Love
kj
I don't think your wish for the evolution of nonviolence is unrealistic. While we can learn a lot from our shared history as humans, we can never stop working towards such a future.
DeleteThe time and effort that it took to make such a fine living area can be astounding. The mosaics and incredibly intricate.
ReplyDeleteI found myself thinking the same thing: what would it have been like to see such artwork pass beneath one's feet every day?
DeleteWonderful pictures, thank you!
ReplyDeleteoooh love mosaics
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful. Is it just me, or does it seem that this goddess lives only among the ruins now?
ReplyDeleteSometimes I save your posts for the perfect moment. Your new post goes up and I savor the waiting to read the stories and see the awesome pictures. This one fit the bill exactly!
ReplyDeleteI just can't even imagine living with those amazing mosaics but the ancient Romans may have said the same thing about our wallpaper.
Lovely delicious fulfilling post Amanda
I love learning through you :)
ReplyDeleteWe haven't abandoned Fortuna in our modern world; how else do we explain the stock-market?
ReplyDelete