THE MAGNIFICENT MARBLE HEAD OF HERCULES & THE MYSTERIOUS ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM!

We have all read, seen and heard about superheroes through the medium of comics, children’s books, movies etc. Avengers, Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Iron Man, Elektra etc. are some of the most popular children’s and even adults superheroes. Even, in real life, we tend to desire a superhero to come and solve all our and the world’s problems. But, have you ever given a thought that how the concept of superhero came into being?

Well, the answer to that is since ancient times we humans have had a desire to idealise and romanticise someone who would be fighting for social and political reforms in society. A person who would be a crusader for truth, liberty, justice and equality. A person who would be compassionate and considerate towards the weaker sections of society, and one who would ensure that everyone gets to be equal, free and live with liberty. This was envisaged because of the political, economic and social atmosphere of a majority of ancient city-states during that time.

So, whenever, someone stood up for the greater good of society, against all odds, was worshipped and deified by the masses. Thus came the concept of superheroes in world mythologies during the ancient period. What better example of this could be than the superheroes of Greek Mythology? Perseus, Jason, Theseus, Xenia and Hercules are the greatest superheroes of Greek mythology of all times.

Though there were many more superheroes it would be difficult to write about all of them in this one single blog. Also, it would be an injustice to them.

Since times immemorial, Hercules, a Greek demi-god and superhero in Greek mythology has been revered and worshipped throughout the centuries. The Greek people had even constructed temples in his reverence. Now, who wouldn’t have heard of Hercules?

We are all aware of Hercules and his 12 tasks, right? So, today, let’s talk about Hercules and his significance even today.

Now, Hercules, or Herakles, is perhaps the hardest of all Greek superheroes to be seen as a single character! He seems to be many things at any given point in time. For instance, he is viewed as a master of prodigious feasts, a tragic figure, a philosopher, a civilization builder, a hero and a god by his virtue of accomplishing the twelve tasks. Herakles or Hercules becomes the greatest hero par excellence, who achieves immortality through performance. Hercules, the origin is believed him being the son of Jupiter and mortal Alcmene. He is famous for his superhuman strength and his far-reaching adventures. Hercules has been popularised in Western Entertainment industry and Hollywood movies. The most famous of which was the movie “Hercules”, played by “The Rock”, a.k.a. Dwayne Johnson.

This is the reason that created sensation and excitement when a magnificent marble head of Hercules was discovered off the coast of Antikythera island, Greece. Its body was discovered in 1900, and now 120 years later, its head has been found in the same place. It is believed that this magnificent statue was under the sea for at least 2,000 years in an Antikythera shipwreck. This is according to Laurenz Baumer, an archaeologist with the Geneva University, who is directing the excavation operations off the island. Also, according to the archaeologist, this is an impressive marble headpiece which has a full beard, a very peculiar face and is twice as life-size no doubt Hercules!

According to archaeologists, the wreck dates to around 60 BCE, and it was discovered first by a group of sponge divers in 1900. Furthermore, the site is also believed to have revealed multiple bronze and marble statues, human remains, and perhaps the greatest mystery and enigma, The Antikythera Mechanism! Which is believed to be the first Computer of the ancient world?

This monumental discovery was made under the ‘Return to Antikythera’ Project, which started in 2012. The earlier expeditions were led by the legendary diver, archaeologist and explorer Jaques Cousteau in the 1970s. In addition to the marble head, divers have also found parts of the base marble statue, pieces of the ship’s equipment, and two human teeth. Now the location of this grand site is so deep that divers can only remain there for 30 minutes.

Another interesting aspect of this great discovery is that all these were covered under huge boulders, which individually weigh up to 8 tonnes! So, it becomes a tenuous process to remove them carefully so as not to damage the momentous find.

Now, you would be interested to know that the discovery of this magnificent statue is as fascinating as the discovery itself! According to records, a group of Greek sponge divers, en route to Tunisia, sought refuge in the Antikythera island from the upcoming storm. Deciding to do some sponge diving, they were surprised to find the wreck roughly below 160 feet. Ensuing excavations undertaken by the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau, in the mid-1970s, revealed many more objects such as a bronze statue named “The Antikythera Youth”, believed to be the head of a stoic philosopher, coins from cities in Asia Minor and at least 4 human bones.

Recently, the attention has been focused on the Antikythera Mechanism, a piece of technology used to track the sun, the moon and the planets. The Antikythera, resembles gears with neat triangular teeth, just like the insides of a clock, and a ring divided into degrees. It’s similar to the protractor we use in school geometry!

This shows the prowess of the ancient Greeks in science and technology. It is also a window into how the ancient Greeks saw the universe. According to ancient Greek belief, nature worked according to predefined rules, just like a machine. This is very similar to what our modern science lays its basis on!

Well, the Antikythera Shipwreck and the marble head of Hercules have been great discoveries; there are still many more fascinating discoveries still to be made off the shipwreck! This is according to a journal, which is closely following this momentous discovery. Also, according to experts, roughly around 600 artefacts have been found from the ship since 1992!

Finally, this great and fascinating discovery has been turning many heads in surprise at the excellence and scientific knowledge of the ancient Greeks, there is also a kind of continuing mystery about the world’s first modern computer!