The Fayum portraits were created by the people of a flourishing district of Roman Egypt during the first three centuries AD. In the old Egyptian tradition; these people embalmed the bodies of their dead; but then they placed over the mummy; a painted portrait to preserve the memory of each individual. Over 1000 portraits have so far been discovered of men; women and children. This book features over 100 of these ancient paintings. The explanatory text sets the people and the paintings in their social; artistic and geographical context; and describes the artistic techniques used in their creation.
#415471 in Books Dover Publications 2004-04-09 2004-04-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.46 x .69 x 5.48l; .76 #File Name: 048643494X336 pages
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. If you love Honey Bees you will love this bookBy PAMELA DILLONVery Interesting. Lots of information I did not know. I research Honey Bee disappearance and this book makes me more determined than ever to find the needle in the haystck and rid this planet of dangerous pesticides. What is killing them will ultimately kill us. If someone wants to know more about Bees and how important this book is to the history of man; read this book.--Bee Advocate23 of 23 people found the following review helpful. Love ancient lore?By Elizabeth L. Seaton FrankfortThis book is chock-full of ancient lore and symbolism; situating the honeybee near or within a wide range of human societies; from the deepest to the recent past. Maybe we are 'co-evolved' -- who knows? First published in 1937; the author already seems to be suggesting the idea that human observation of the bee may have provided early models for complex; layered societies; with specialized occupations and professions. Honey was evidently used in the deep past for medicines and the first known intoxicants; wax for preservation; magic; and metallurgy; and bees have been mentioned in the earliest literature that has survived. Surprisingly early on; beekeeping was a well-established industry. Perhaps the honeybee; like many other symbolically charged animals; is one of the principal "metaphors we live by". Loved this book ...1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent scholarly assay.By Massimo MaddaloniThis is an unabridged reprint of a much older (1937) book. It is an excellent overview of honey bees' lore across centuries and across cultures. It is a treasure trove of information and inspiration. It is not an easy reading: it is a scholarly assay. Pictures show their age but this does not detract from the usefulness. The price is obscenely low.
