Artemis Expert

23/08/2026

Me? Enticed by Apollo?? No ma’am, nope, you saw nothing!

Large statue of Apollo with lyre from the temple of Apollo Pythios. It stood in a dominant position in the elevated niche added to the temple of Gortyna during the Roman period.

The head was an acrolith in the original statue of the Hellenistic period and dates from the second half of the 3rd century BCE, while the body belongs to the Roman renovation of the temple and dates from the late 1st - early 2nd c. CE

23/08/2026

and also in caves… sometimes we sit in caves 🤍

23/08/2026

The Byzantine church, "tis Panagias" (the Holy Mother) in Agia Roumeli is a fascinating complexity of academic mislabelling (maybe…? probably…), some primary source legends, a few terracotta artifacts and local/tour guide stories.

Notes From the Field - August 20, 2026

22/08/2026

CHERSONESOS (Crete) Silver stater, 330–300 BCt

Obverse: Artemis enthroned.
Reverse: Inscription ΧΕΡΣΟΝΗΣΙΩΝ (“of the Chersonesians”).

Silver (AR).
Hellenistic period.

All 📸 Dr. Carla Ionescu, PhD

21/08/2026

It is too late for European summer?

21/08/2026

Last chance to register for our Athena deep dive! Tomorrow we’re spending two hours exploring Athena, one of the most complicated goddesses of the ancient Greek world.

We’ll look at her myths and cult, her temples and sanctuaries, ancient sources, artifacts and offerings, and the different ways Athena was understood and worshipped across the Greek world.

Saturday, August 22nd
12–2 PM EDT | 9–11 AM PDT | 5–7 PM UK

Can’t join us live? No problem :) Everyone who registers will receive the full recording afterward.

Registration is still open. Comment ATHENA below and I’ll send you the link, or register through the link in my bio.

See you tomorrow! 🦉🏛️

All 📸 Dr. Carla Ionescu, PhD

20/08/2026

Athena and Herakles: The Stables of Augeas. Metope from the Temple of Zeus, Olympia c. 470–456 BCE
Early Classical period

This metope depicts the Fifth Labour of Herakles, the cleaning of the stables of King Augeas. Rather than removing the enormous accumulation of dung by hand, Herakles diverts the rivers Alpheios and Peneios so that their waters flow through the stables and wash them clean.

Athena stands beside Herakles wearing a Doric peplos, her left arm resting upon her shield. She gestures toward the place where he must break through the stable wall and direct the rivers, appearing here as Herakles’ divine helper and guide.

The scene originally formed part of a series of twelve metopes depicting the Labours of Herakles on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia.

Want to learn more about Athena?

This Saturday, we’re exploring Athena in this month’s workshop, looking at her myths, cult, temples, artifacts, ancient sources, and the many ways she was worshipped across the Greek world.

🦉 Saturday, August 22nd
12–2 PM EDT | 9–11 AM PDT | 5–7 PM UK

Can’t attend live? The recording will be available afterward.

Comment ATHENA below and I’ll send you the registration link.

All 📸 Dr. Carla Ionescu, PhD

19/08/2026

Female mask of a protome of a deity. From a Laconian workshop. 2nd half of 7th c. BCE

All 📸 Dr. Carla Ionescu, PhD

19/08/2026

Their names are Thekla, Maria, Martha, Ennatha and Mariamna, and local tradition often describes them as nuns or women who had dedicated themselves to a religious life.

Their exact dates are uncertain, with traditions placing them around 205 CE or 330 CE, while another interpretation dates them to the Arab period of Crete, between 826 and 961 CE.

There is also a local legend connecting the Five Virgins with the older pagan sacred landscape of Lappa and, possibly, with nymphs.

This would make sense in a place so closely tied to springs and flowing water, and ancient pagan material found around Lappa includes representations of Aphrodite, Artemis, Zeus and Dionysos.