NEW PAGAN ART UNEARTHED AT POMPEII

Pompeii is the gift that keep giving. Since it was buried by a shower of volcanic ash almost 2000 years ago, the middle-sized Roman town has served as a time capsule -- or, more accurately, a series of time capsules, with new discoveries coming out every now and then. Just last month  two newly uncovered frescoes were revealed to the public, both of which are of excellent quality and in a fine state of preservation.

The one above shows a scene from the Iliad, with Paris the Prince of Troy, meeting Helen, the wife of Menelaus. Their elopement was the cause of the famous Trojan War with all its legendary and divine aspects.

The one below shows the Greek and Roman god Apollo trying to seduce the priestess and prophetess Cassandra. When she rejected him, Apollo, motivated by "incel" rage,  made everyone ignore her prophecies and warnings, including those concerning the Trojan War. 

The room in which both frescoes were discovered also includes a near-complete mosaic floor with more than a million individual white tiles. 

A TRIVIALISING BBC REPORT ON SARDINIA'S MAMUTHONES (1964)

A BBC report from 1964 on the Sardinian tradition of the Mamuthones. In addition to getting the number wrong (there are 12 Mamuthones - to symbolise the months - not 20), the BBC reporter trivialises it by zeroing in on some sort of "pick up" storyline. Actually, what we see here is one of many ancient pagan customs to "scare of" evil spirits to ensure a good year (the event takes place at various times). The Mamuthones are the dancers with masks and bells, while the men rather gently lassoing the ladies are the Issohadores. There is an element of a sexual fertility cult in that, but it is hardly the main focus and is certainly not a means for young Sardinian men to get off with women. Most of the Issohadores are clearly older men. Anyway, we must be grateful to the BBC for at least sending the cameraman.