My collage today, for LMAC 134 began with a search for the identification of the monument in @shaka's remarkable template photo:
First question I asked: Is it Greek or Roman. I found a Youtube video that helped me sort that out. One clue was the steps on the side of the building. Roman temples had them in the front. Greek temples had them all around. Also, Greek temples were built on hills or mountains in rural areas. Roman temples were built in urban areas, on flat ground.
I had guessed it was Greek, but now I knew. Then I looked at pictures of notable Greek temples and found one of the Acropolis with this particular perspective presented. The part of the Acropolis we are looking at in @shaka's picture is called the Erechtheum.
Erechtheum Acropolis Athens
Credit:Jebulon. CC 1.0 license
In ancient Athens, the Erechtheum was dedicated to various deities and mythical figures: most principally the statue of Athena Parthanos, but also Erechtheus, Boutes Ploughman, Pandrosos, Kekrops, Hephaistos and Poseidon.
Roman Replica of Athena Parthenos Statue
Credit: George E. Koronaios, cropped by Neoclassicism Enthusiast. Used under CC 4.0 license. The original statue in the Acropolis was destroyed but this Roman version, known as the Varvakeion Athena, is considered to be quite true to the statue that resided in the Erechtheum.
The Acropolis changed hands many times. According to a website called The Collector, the Acropolis of Athens was settled in prehistoric times. It became a place of prominence during the Mycenean Civilization. When it was adopted by the Ancient Greeks, it was already rich in tradition and mythology. It went through a Persian invasion, Roman rule, and Ottoman rule. Under Ottoman rule, the Erechtheum served as a harem.
Acropolis of Athens, 2017
Credit: Spirosparas. Used under CC 4.0 license.
In my collage I symbolically represent a European attempt to arrest control of the territory from the Ottomans. This occurred at a historic battle called the Venetian Siege of the Acropolis.
Engraving, Venetian Siege of the Acropolis
Credit: Anonymous engraver,1680s. Public domain.
Weaponry definitely included cannons. Warships from that era might have looked something like this British ship:
HMS Sovereign of the Seas, 1637
Credit: 17th Century, unknown. Public Domain.
Although the Europeans did prevail in this battle, the victory was short lived. The next year, the Acropolis was retaken by the Ottomans. Much of the existing structures had been destroyed and so the area was repurposed for residences.
You can see that I got interested in the history behind the ruins in @shaka's template photo. My collage is probably more literal narrative than art. I hope the history excursion was mildly entertaining for my readers. Now to credit sources that helped me create the collage.
Of course LIL, the LMAC Image Library, figured largely in the endeavor. I thank the following LIL contributors:
Two Images from @louis88:
The Greek hill upon which my monument sits.
The Shore, with the dramatic waves
From @muelli I borrowed three images essential to the collage:
Doorway
Landmark
Fire
From @quantumg I borrowed the beautiful
Column
And
From @seckorama indispensable
Rocks
I Borrowed three images from Unsplash:
Warship from raimonKlavins
Cannon fire from George Martin
I used GIMP, Paint and Paint 3D to manipulate the images and make the GIF frames.
I have been associated with LMAC, the collage contest, almost since its inception. It's obvious that making a collage for me is more than just putting together elements and hoping for the best. Each time I make a collage, it is a growth experience. This is true, I believe, for many of our 'regulars'.
LMAC was the brainchild, and inspiration of @shaka, who continues to lead the community. The team, @quantumg, @mballesteros, and I support him and the community.
LIL has become intrinsic to LMAC. This library of images would not exist without the hard work and coding skills of @quantumg and @shaka. Visit our library. Contribute to it. LIL is a Hive resource. It exists for everyone in the Hive community. Rules and procedures for borrowing and contributing may be found here.
Finally, voting for winners in this week's contest is going on right now, here. All of Hive is invited to vote on a favorite collage. A new round of the contest begins on Thursday. Check out rules and procedures here.
I wish everyone peace, health and the joy of a creative life.
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