Category: Uncategorized

Very intrigued by this turn and wave almost portrait like obverse depiction. I want to think more about it in future, esp. the free flowing Alexander/Helios type hair in lieu of a helmet or other head covering. Link to specimen.

From Lanzi:

Arachne entry: “”So-called. “Stosch’sche Gemme”: five heroes of the “Seven against Thebes” hold a council”

From Page 52 Footnote 335 of Luigi Lanzi’s notebooks edited by Donata Levi:

“Regarding James Byres, a Scottish resident in Rome, Winckelmann mentions his observations on the theater of Taormina (WINCKELMANN 1830-1834, V, 451-452) and also mentions him (about the trochus) as the owner of a gem, a carnelian with Discobolus (ibid., V, 472), which is often mentioned in contemporary antiquarian literature (for example in GUATTANI, I, February 1784, xiii, and in VISCONTI 1782-1807, I [1782], 95, fig. 7 [SIC! actually fig.6] of plate A): Byres “can boast of having in this carving one of the most elegant and beautiful figures, which have ever been carved in gems”.

He is also mentioned in LANZI, Notizie, 56, [another ref.] as the owner of an Etruscan patera. Byres was also preparing a description of the paintings of an Etruscan hypogeum of Tarquinia with copper plates. For information on him see HAWCROFT 1988, passim: he was in Rome from 1756, at first as a painter with interests also in the field of architecture, but since the mid-1760s he was active especially as a merchant and guide. He participated in important affairs, such as the sale of what is now called the Portland vase to Sir W. Hamilton and the Seven Sacraments of Poussin to the Duke of Rutland. He was one of the first visitors to Paestum in 1766 and left Rome in 1790. See also JENKINS SLOAN 1996, 196, for an onyx cameo with bacchanal, which he sold to Lord Fortrose, Seaforth, before 1781. Byres also acted as an agent on the commission for the altarpiece that Mengs was to have made for All Souls College, Oxford (see ROETTGEN 1993, 30). On Byres see also SKINNER 1966, esp. 16-17, FORD 1974 and STAINTON 1974” (a cleaned up machine translation)

More on Byres in Facos 2018

Checking third proofs, esp. for legibility of images…. fig. 3.21 is HN Italy 407, Italia, 90–89 BCE, denarius, 3.97 grams, ANS 1944.100.873.

The image reproduction of the coin isn’t great (YET!) so I was looking to see if it could be improved in some way as the ANS images are exceptionally hi res. I noticed some funny features. Circled above. Red could just be the helmet and Blue could be damage, but …

I wanted to compare it to an image of the same coin struck by the same dies. Thanks Campana. But I cannot find an image quickly. Boo. So now I need to get back to the proofs.

I find myself getting more interested in the punch marks / test punches / counter marks seen on some RR specimens. And this is just a fascinating article by Gazdac and colleagues. Can’t wait to see the full details of the hoard when that comes out. I’m especially interested in learning more about the methods used for the Metallurgical testing, particularly the investigation of pre existing ‘minute cracks’ though non-destructive techniques to compare surface and interior readings.

Offering dishes dedicated to the gods.

I am exhausted from being disturbed by small humans all night and should have put this info here on the blog not on twitter as I fell down a rabbit hole. This is a post so I can find the sources and images again as Twitter is terrible for that.

This list was compiled with the help of many on twitter (special shout-out to Chris Thoms Bauer of Rutgers). Those marked in bold are specifically designed to help those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Generally speaking these programs offer more learning, for less grunt work. Many MAs funded by teaching provide departments with cheap labor. Some do a great job of supporting rather than exploiting those students, but you should think hard about whether you can really live on the money they are offering and whether you can learn what you want to learn while engaging in the teaching they require. You will likely want to teach eventually, but doing so your very first semester of graduate studies is a big ask.

Additions and Corrections Welcome!

Humboldt Research Track Scholarship (Berlin) – Rolling deadlines! Provides funding and support for those preparing to apply to PhDs.

Yale Post-Bacc – Nov 1 to 28 Feb (earlier is better!) A stipend of $27,200 over 12 months for living expenses. Participants also receive financial support that covers tuition for one or more courses per semester during the academic year, health insurance, GRE preparation material provided by Kaplan Review, a new laptop computer, and travel-related expenses to attend one national conference.  Participants live in New Haven and use a portion of their stipend to cover housing and other living expenses.

Pre Doctoral Fellowship Princeton – November 15, Funding level(s) not on website.

Most Canadian departments facilitate Government Funding for MAs that have Dec 1 deadlines! (even if program deadline may be later) – Toronto, Victoria (but see details below under Feb !), McMaster, Western Ontario, Calgary, Queen’s, Waterloo, and Alberta. While these scholarships are typically for Canadian citizens is highly recommended to contact the department to discuss your individual circumstances regardless of citizenship status. – Information and encouragement to apply from Prof. Peter Miller of U Winnipeg via Twitter. He writes: “I am happy to talk with prospective students, especially those from outside the Canadian system. Since I am at an institution with no graduate program, I have no skin the game so to speak.”

Funded MAs at University of Colorado, Boulder – Dec 15 app deadline to be considered for Funding

some funding options for MAs at UToronto – Dec 15

Funded Bridge MA in Classics, U Michigan – Dec 15, two summers and two semesters of funding, with a summer matriculation (June 1). Funding level(s) not on website.

Funded (by teaching) MA at FSU – Dec 15, alum endorsed!

Funding (primarily via teaching?) MA at WashU (St. Louis) – Jan 1

Funded (by teaching) MA at Kansas – “early January” = Jan 1; Graduate Teaching Assistants pay no tuition, and they receive health benefits in addition to a stipend. The annual stipend is approximately $17,000. Additional scholarships and research positions are also available

Funded MA at U British Columbia (Canada) “early January” = Jan 1; typically 20 months funding, “Amounts vary, but we work to make it accessible for international students.” – Prof. Marshall via Twitter

Funded (primarily via teaching?) MA at UIUC – Jan 4; funding level not found on website; ideally 6 semesters of one language and 4 of the other, but some wiggle room. Endorsed by alum, Charlotte Hunt of Cornell

Funded (primarily via teaching?) MA at Notre Dame – Jan 15, every student we admit receives a full tuition waiver plus an annual stipend, which ranges from $12,500 to $17,300, but in some cases could reach up to $22,100, depending on teaching duties.  Note that the cost of living in South Bend is lower than in many urban areas (and yes, there are things to do here!).  There are also subsidies available toward health care premiums.

Funded (by teaching) MA at UMaryland – Jan 15, We have five funded teaching assistantships, which provide tuition remission and a living expense stipend (amount unlisted). Our TAs take three courses a semester while assisting in discussion sections of an undergraduate course taught in English. “Our stipends for funded first-year MA students in our program is ca. $19,000 and for second-year MA students is ca. $19,500. Full medical coverage is included and in non-COVID times there are opportunities for free trips to Europe for our TAs for our study abroad programs. Except for our Pellegri Fellow (who gets a semester off from TAing to work on a research project), our funded MA students TA one course per semester. They serve as leaders of discussion sections and graders for our larger courses. The number of students they teach can differ, but it’s never more than 75 per semester.” – Prof. Alder via Twitter (Rob Santucci, a program alum now PhDing recommends)

Funded MA at U Cinncinnati – Jan 15 “offers to successful applicants full funding and tuition waiver for two years (MA), or six to seven years (PhD, depending on whether they enter with or without an MA). The funding is not based on teaching, although the program does offer students ample opportunity to teach. We are primarily a PhD granting program, but we also have MA programs. We do consider applicants on individual basis and accept those who need a bridge to the PhD, especially if they are from traditionally underrepresented groups.” – Prof. Markovich via email, feel free to contact him.

Funded MA at Indiana U – Jan 15. Some teaching, some fellowships: packages vary.

Funded MA at U Missouri – Jan 15, “The MA degree in Ancient Mediterranean Studies includes three main areas (Languages and Literatures; Archaeology; Arts and Humanities). Graduate funding packages vary depending on the track, but usually combine teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships from departmental, school or university sources. For Fall 2021 we are specifically advertising up to three MA positions available in the Archaeology track, fully funded through graduate fellowships that come with stipend (the current minimum is $16,389), tuition and health benefits, and no teaching obligations. Students from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. “ – Prof. Mogetta via Email, who is also happy to be contacted directly

Funded MA at the University of Victoria (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada):  funding through a combination of scholarships and teaching assistant work.  Rolling deadline but for financial support the deadline is February 1.  2 year MA with funding through the intermediary summer semester.  We welcome international students and we are accepting applications for September 2021.

Funded (by teaching) MA at U New Mexico – Feb 1, teaching two courses a semester, stipend level unclear. No more than two weeks sick leave before pay reduction. Program recommended by Sarah Keith of UMich on twitter.

Funded MA at Tulane – February 1, Funding level(s) not on website. “We generally accept two students per year, who receive tuition, stipend, and health benefits while working as TAs for one class each semester. It depends on the class and level; largest would be 35-40 students. Our TAs help with grading, hold occasional office hours, and might lead a lecture or discussion once or twice a semester (they do not lead regular discussion sections, etc.). We try very hard not to exploit our students and to use the TA-ships as additional preparation for them.” – Prof. Emmerson via Twitter

Funded (by teaching) MA at Oregon – February 1

Funded MAs at Rutgers – Feb 15 app deadline, The two-year fellowships include tuition remission and an annual stipend of $25,000.

Funded (by teaching!) MA at Arizona – Feb 15

Bridge to Doctorate Fellowships at UVa – March 1 app deadline, Students will receive $24,000 per year in living support and full payment of their tuition, fees and single-person coverage in the University’s student health insurance plan for a period of two years.

Funded Bridge MA in Classics, Cornell – March 1, 2021, two summers and two semesters of funding, with a summer matriculation (June 1). Housing on campus will be provided for the first summer (June 1-August 15). Funding level(s) not on website.

Funded (through teaching) MA at Texas Tech – deadline not on website. Funding level(s) and teaching load not on website.

Funded (mostly? through teaching) MA at UMinnesota – NOT accepting applications for fall 2021 [pandemics suck!]

Wish I’d included this in my Glasspastes Article.

The representation of the woman (behind?) The pyre reminded me of representations of the Tarpeia.