>> I suggest that it is not merely a coincidence of survival in the sources that
we have more accounts of such remains in Roman times but that this represents an
increasing interest in heroic burials at this time. The argument I’m developing
in the article I am working on is that in the Greek speaking eastern half of the
Mediterranean, and in Greece in particular, it became increasingly common under
the Roman Empire for cities to advertise possession of tombs of mythical and
legendary heroes in order to compete for prestige and status.
Maybe a precursor of later Christians' fascination with relics.
I'm reminded of this passage from The Name of the Rose:
"So it is, Adso. And there are even richer treasuries. Some time ago, in the
cathedral of Cologne, I saw the skull of John the Baptist at the age of
twelve."
"Really?" I exclaimed, amazed. Then, seized by doubt, I added, "But the Baptist
was executed at a more advanced age!"
"The other skull must be in another treasury," William said, with a grave face.
What I find especially exciting here is the fact that the Geeeks were okay with the idea that Ahilles, Ajax and other guys from Trojan war stories were actually 4m high. You could never imagine that reading The Iliad.
Maybe a precursor of later Christians' fascination with relics.
I'm reminded of this passage from The Name of the Rose:
"So it is, Adso. And there are even richer treasuries. Some time ago, in the cathedral of Cologne, I saw the skull of John the Baptist at the age of twelve."
"Really?" I exclaimed, amazed. Then, seized by doubt, I added, "But the Baptist was executed at a more advanced age!"
"The other skull must be in another treasury," William said, with a grave face.