The ancient Mayan city's stone mask temple
Large arched gateways often consisting of multiple interconnected doorways are supported by cylindrical columns. The long hooked noses of Chac the rain god, are intricately carved a prominent feature of ancient Mayan architecture. A key characteristic is the use of precisely cut and joined stone slabs decorated with geometric patterns and the face of the rain god Chac. These are commonly found in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico where a cobblestone core is covered with thin stone slabs and the temples exhibit unusual architectural features.
The intricate stone carvings on the ancient building La Iglesia The Church part of the Nunnery Complex La Iglesia / Las Monjas in the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá Mexico.
A famous ancient Mayan structure at the Cabah archaeological site in Yucatan is a 45-meter-long structure with multiple entrances and interior chambers decorated with symmetrical repeating brickwork. Its most striking feature is the long curved nose protruding prominently from the stone wall known as the Palacio de las Mascaras. The western facade of the building is covered with hundreds of interconnected mosaic masks depicting Chac the Mayan god of rain.
The cylindrical building sits atop a stepped pyramid base. Inside a spiral staircase gives it its name El Caracol meaning snail. El Caracol also known as The Observatory is located within the ancient Mayan archaeological site of Chichen Itza Yucatan Mexico.
Lightning strikes the clouds to create thunder and bring rain to nourish crops and storms according to ancient Mayan beliefs often necessitated the construction of masks and temples to worship Chac. Especially in the Yucatan Peninsula prayers were offered to ensure timely rainfall and bountiful harvests playing a role and reflecting beliefs similar to those of the Aztec god Tlaloc. One notable architectural style of ancient Mexican civilization is the construction of large stepped pyramids temples dedicated to gods intricate stone carvings and complex city planning on islands surrounded by water such as the capital Tenochtitlan.
The Arch of Labná an ancient Mayan monument located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is a masterpiece of Puuc style architecture built around 862 AD.
Finely painted pottery and stone pillars meticulously document stories as do the creations of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. These include bas-relief limestone carvings depicting court scenes and rituals in vibrant colors and the use of jade and precious stones for masks and funerary amulets. These works of art reflect the beliefs surrounding the Mayan rituals and stories of their gods.
A stone carving of the face of Chaac the Mayan god of rain adorns the wall of a Puuc-style building in the archaeological site. The carving features low relief stone carvings and geometric mosaic patterns in the Puuc style.
Tall, pointed pyramid-shaped temples in the rainforest feature stucco reliefs or carvings depicting gods and cultural narratives with steep staircases leading to the sacred mountain-like structure at the top. It was common to build a large central plaza surrounded by important buildings and sports arenas with the astronomically precise El Castillo pyramid and its serpentine shadow cast during the autumnal equinox at the center. A spherical observatory for observing the stars was also present. All the structures were designed with astronomical precision and built without metal tools wheels or animals for pulling them.
Greek art and the gods of the sea
The Roman god Neptune derives directly from his Etruscan name but modern studies point to similar or vice versa in early Italian culture. Originally the god of wells and underground freshwater his image later expanded to encompass all bodies of water including the sea. He is sometimes depicted with the power to control lightning and wielding a trident and his symbols were used for ancient Etruscan divination.
This ancient circular carving depicts Neptune the Roman god of the sea rising from the waves holding a long scepter flanked by two horse-headed sea monsters hippocampuses.
A striking bronze sculpture of Neptune or Poseidon the god of the sea creates an awe-inspiring atmosphere on the rocks of Melenara Beach on the island of Gran Canaria Spain. He is shown with his right hand holding a trident raised to the sky. Standing tall amidst crashing waves this work by Luis Arencibia Betancort installed in 2001 measures approximately 4.2 meters in height. From late Renaissance circular engravings circa 1550 to1600 to Vethulonia coins circa 215–211 BC depicting Neptune wearing a ketos a type of sea animal helmet this imagery is found on rare Etruscan bronze glass found at archaeological sites.
The statue of Neptune Neptuno de Melenara also known as Poseidon is located on a rock on Melenara Beach in Telde on the island of Gran Canaria Canary Islands Spain.
The mythological story depicted in ancient Roman mosaics shows Neptune standing on a chariot pulled by emerald sea horses. The use of vibrant colors and geometric patterns to enclose the intricately framed image acclaimed as a masterpiece titled Triumph of Neptune surrounded by figureheads of the four seasons in the corners dates back to approximately the late 2nd century. This mosaic is from La Chebba Tunisia.
The ancient Greek-Roman mosaic "The Triumph of Neptune and the Four Seasons" from La Chebba Tunisia is currently on display at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis.
Around the 2nd century or approximately 135 AD a large-scale marble sculpture was created depicting Poseidon. He was shown with a classical style beard and curly hair wearing a chlamys draped over his left shoulder. One hand was raised high holding a weapon and the statue rested on a base carved with dolphins. Historically the Romans were influenced by and later combined the story of Poseidon with their own god Neptune incorporating the Greek belief in praying for rain and moisture during the driest periods of summer. Sailors and fishermen often offered prayers and sacrifices to Neptune before voyages seeking calm seas and safe journeys.
Symbols of gods on Aztec pottery
Statues depicting eagle or jaguar helmets sacred dogs like Soloitz Kuntli and jaguars and practical objects such as whistles flutes and rattles are examples of artistic expression. While modern Mexican folk artists continue to produce these traditional pottery and ceramics to meet the demands of contemporary collectors the types of miniature statues commonly found include deities reflecting the cycles of nature and beliefs in the afterlife are also prominent features.
Aztec ceramic statues and handcrafted pottery depicting gods warriors and various animals are also noteworthy. Ancient artisans created these pottery and ceramics for use in rituals and daily life. Local natural clay pottery and ceramics painted in shades of red black or white are predominantly featured in geometric patterns. Figures such as Tlalog god of rain and Miktlante Guhtli god of death are distinguished by striking shapes repeating lines and culturally symbolic motifs.
This ancient terracotta statue depicts a woman wearing traditional clothing from the Classic Mesoamerican culture of the period 450–600 AD from the El Faisán region of Veracruz state Mexico.
Guardians of the souls of the deceased are often depicted or sculpted as human skeletons or figures with skulls adorned with feather and paper ornaments. Two important deities in Aztec mythology are the jaguar god the first being the god of rain which bestows fertility and life and this large feline is associated with Tezcatlipoca the powerful god of night and the smoke mirror.
An ancient terracotta sculpture of Xipe Totec the Aztec god of agriculture fertility and the shedding of leaves is on display at the Museo del Templo Mayor in Mexico City Mexico.
This Aztec ceramic jaguar statue depicts the elite Aztec jaguar warrior ocelotle or Tezcatlipoca the god of night in animal form. Aztec beliefs held that wearing jaguar skins bestowed strength and courage. Jaguar warriors were the highest-ranking members of the Aztec army they had to capture many enemies in battle to rise to this rank. This spiritual power is represented by the elite Aztec jaguar warrior ocelotle or Tezcatlipoca the god of night in animal form in this clay and ceramic replica.
The Pottery of the Gods Canosian Askos
A spherical earthenware vessel decorated with bas-relief and free standing sculptures plastic decoration. The front is adorned with a Gorgonian Medusa mask. A winged statue of the goddess Nike stands on the neck and handle of the vessel a Canosan pottery Askos of the Ascos type. This artifact is from the Apulia region in southern Italy dating back to around the 3rd century BC a center of philosophical and artistic development. Canosan pottery was used in funerary ceremonies and to hold precious liquids such as fragrant oils or wine.
Canosan-style pottery from Apulia southern Italy dating from approximately the late 4th to early 3rd century BC is characterized by three-dimensional sculptures including the face of Medusa on the front.
The artifacts discovered in this region reflect the craftsmanship of ancient Greek artisans. Examples include bronze statues and bas-reliefs depicting the graceful flow of garments and elegant wings symbols of success in both battles and athletic competitions. These figures often feature large wings long robes and hold palm leaves or garlands to be given to winners. Another distinctive feature of ancient Greek art in Magna Graecia is the depiction of Gorgons in bas-reliefs and sculptures.
These differ from art found on mainland Greece often appearing as motifs on pottery temple pediments and ornaments as well as in architectural styles particularly on sacred buildings the Gorgons of Magna Graecia have broad round faces wide open mouths with protruding fangs snakes coiled around their heads and hair transformed into venomous snakes. Their wide open eyes gaze directly at the viewer warding off evil spirits a central symbol of protection and defense for the ancient Greeks.
This Daunian luxury vase from Canosa di Puglia, in northern Italy, is made of earthenware and dates back to around 300 BC. It is currently on display at the Altes Museum in Berlin Germany.
Magna Graecia on the southern coast of Italy and the island of Sicily was a key link in the spread of Greek culture to the Romans and the early Italic civilization. Ancient Greece flourished in culture trade and architecture and the Romans used the term to refer to the colonies where the ancient Greeks settled from the 8th century BC onwards. Greek communities in southern Italy created art to worship this goddess Nike the goddess of victory for good fortune and prosperity for their cities.
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