SYRIAN
ANTIQUITIES OF THE GREEK,
ROMAN
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Since the beginning of the second century of the Christian era, Hauran and Jabal al-Arab had become important centres of artistic creation. They have left us masterpieces which have made their contribution to civilization. The sculpture of this region is in basalt which is too hard to cut. The artist, however, was able to use this stone and to manipulate it to the form which he desired so as to make ageless masterpieces out of it. His victory over this material was the compensation of his patience to achieve the artistic shape which he had conceived and dreamed to incarnate in the world of matter. His works were characterized by originality and reflected the social life of the age. They were, therefore, marked by a local artistic colour and a quality signifying universal product. A number of these sculptures have been exhibited in this wing .We shall explain them after seeing the glass pieces displayed In this hall and with the other antiquities discovered at Tell Um Hauran near the village of Nawa. |
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| Glorifications
of the Earth :
Important
mosaic pavement representing a
vast allegorical scene
surrounded with a frame
ornamented with geometrical
designs. Its theme is related to
glorifications of the earth. In
the centre a woman appears
amidst her children, symbol of
the earth and its fruits. On the
left, we see a person holding a
wheel in his right hand, symbol
of the Time, behind him appears
four young girls incarnating the
four seasons. To their left
appears the goddess of
vegetation contemplating the
earth and its fruits. On the
right appears an artist modeling
a statue with the clay of the
earth and drawing his
inspiration from the beauty of
the spirit. In the upper part of
the tablet we sec heads of
children blowing what incarnate
the four winds. L. 332 cm. H.
272.5 cm. |
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| Mosaic
pavement representing the
Orontes : On this mosaic, the Orontes appears in a human form. He holds the horn of abundance in his left hand. On his right, three children are approaching him. On his left, we see two other children. The children symbolize the lands which are in need of irrigation. The scene is surrounded with three frames consisting of stone, mosaic cubes. These pieces have been discovered by the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums in a floor of a bath at the village of Ghalline, Latakia. |
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The Marble Coffin (Troy):Found at Al-Rastan inside a cemetery, in 8 / 4 / 1977 , from Shamsigram the Arabian family era, that ruled Al-Rastan and Homs. Made from white marble , manufactured by an artistic school Attica province and her centre is Athens in Greece . Engraved on his cover a man with his wife in situation of harmony, they wear transparent garments; sit on embroidered couch and scenes from the naval banquet. The coffin drilled from single block of marbles, his three sides is decorated by scenes from Iliad and Odyssey between tow bands of Greek decorations.
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Basalt
high relief depicting Hercules
in combat with a lion. Hercules
appears nude with strong
muscles, lie catches hold of the
lion neck. The lion stands on
its hind quarters and reclines
his front quarters on the leg of
the hero whose face reflects no
signs of effort. Found at Sweida. |
Basalt
statue depicting Victory
standing on globe. She inclines
forward as if she were about to
fly. Her long dress has clasp on
the left shoulder. The dress
reveals the shoulder and the
right breast. There is a Greek
inscription on the lower part of
the globe read "Asmathos,
son of Solymos, has made this
statue at his own expense".
a Found at Sweida. |
Basalt statue depicting Minerva. The goddess is standing on a rectangular base. Her left foot is inclining a little forward. She wears a long pleated robe with two clasps on the two shoulders. The breast is protected by armor decorated with a Gorgon. The features express seriousness. Her cur wavy hair hangs down over the back of her neck, and it is topped by a high helmet. She holds an oval shield in her left hand. She raised her right hand as if she were carrying a lance. Found at Sweida. H. 150 cm |
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