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The Temple of the Emerald Buddha
A small carved figurine sits high on a grand multi-tiered pedestal in a magnificent wat (temple) in Bangkok, Thailand. It has been sitting there since 1784 CE and was originally thought to be made of emerald. Hundreds of tourists and pilgrims...
Definition
Hermes
Hermes was the ancient Greek god of trade, wealth, luck, fertility, animal husbandry, sleep, language, thieves, and travel. One of the cleverest and most mischievous of the 12 Olympian gods, Hermes was their herald and messenger. In that...
Definition
Thoth
Thoth is the Egyptian god of writing, magic, wisdom, and the moon. He was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt alternately said to be self-created or born of the seed of Horus from the forehead of Set. As the son of these two deities...
Article
The Aftermath of Looting: Illegally Excavated Mesopotamian Tablets
He who saw everything in the broad-boned earth, and knew what was to be known, Who had experienced what there was, and had become familiar with all things. The Epic of Gilgamesh. The tornado has started After the US-led invasion...
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The Desecration of the Statues of Hermes, 415 BCE
On 7 June 415 BCE, various statues of the god Hermes were desecrated in Athens. The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) had been raging for decades as one of the biggest civil wars in Ancient Greece, and the Athenians prepared for the expedition...
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The Newly Discovered Tablet II of the Epic of Gilgamesh
Surpassing all other kings, heroic in stature, brave scion of Uruk, wild bull on the rampage! Going at the fore he was the vanguard, going at the rear, one his comrades could trust! (Prologue, Tablet I, The Epic of...
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Hermes: Greek God, Trickster and Messenger to the Gods
Hermes was the Ancient Greek god of trade, wealth, luck, fertility, animal husbandry, sleep, language, thieves, and travel. He is known as the trickster of the Greek pantheon, and most recognisable is his position as the Messenger to the...
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Yaksha or Demon Guardians at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Six pairs of giant demon guardians flank all entrances to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, Thailand. They are known as yaksha or in Thai are simply called yak (giant) and they are Buddhist gods that protect against evil spirits...
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Wat Phra Kaew - Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The Temple of Emerald Buddha, Bangkok, Thailand. In Thai it is called Wat Phra Kaew and it was built in 1784 CE. Photo taken in 2019 CE.
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Painted Mural at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The outer walls of Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha) have 178 mural panels painted during the reign of Rama I (r. 1782-1809 CE). Photo taken 2017 CE.