![]() ![]() Let us bring hither, in pursuit of riches, Aditi with our Word, the Mighty Mother, “We call for help the Queen of Law and Order, Great Mother of all those whose ways are righteous,įar-spread, unwasting strong in Her Dominion, Aditi wisely leading, well protecting.Įarth, our strong guard, incomparable Heaven, Aditi wisely leading, well protecting. ![]() Yet in terms of protection – well, we shall just quote a few Vedic verses via way of exceptionally brief illustration as to the latter: We also observe those situations of Devi’s invocation in coronation rites more ‘closer in’ to the core of the orthodox Hindusphere in India, as well. They empower him, they make him both mighty and sovereign (and we shall, perhaps, post a brief piece on this at some point in the future in addition to our previous work) and the Goddess is also called upon to protect him.Īs applies the former, we observe the situation elucidated in the famed Rabatak Inscription of the Kushan (interestingly, written in Greek script) – wherein the Emperor Kanishka is said to have been given his power and station by the Goddess Nana, Umma. We have observed that in various Indo-European spheres, the Goddess is asked to do two things in relation to a human ruler. How can we tell? Not simply because of the obvious iconographic saliency of Her in gold plate thereupon.īut due to the comparative Indo-European theology of the Mat(t)er. What manner of protection is this? The Goddess Herself. And so that is also where the protection is thusly to be strongest. It is, therefore, something of a vulnerable spot. This is important, as it is the side of the armour – and the wearer’s body – that is NOT protected by the suitably immense shield. Now, to return to Athena’s prominence here – we note that this is on the right side of the Thorax. most of these images sourced from the Herakles Cithare twitter account There are also a pair of bronze greaves (one slightly different to the other – likely to accommodate an old war wound), and what would have been a sword in its wooden scabbard had not the wood rotted away to leave only the gold-and-ivory fixtures to remain. Its major composition is iron – hence why it has rusted to its present colouration as can be seen on the Thorax and Helmet whilst the gold has remained much as it was. The armour itself is ceremonial – particularly the rather immense shield, which bears some seriously, seriously impressive iconography that we may perhaps return to explore at some later time. Now, there are several points to be made here – but we shall start with the pretty straightforward matters of material composition afore moving onto the religious purpose emplaced here. In this case, via the apotropaic Athena plate that is found on the side of this seriously impressive Macedonian armour – unearthed in the Royal Tombs at Vergina ( Aigai ) … and generally thought to have been that of Philip II himself! It is FRIDAY – Devi’s Day ! And therefore, as has become our custom … a beautiful presentation of Her. ![]()
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