Inktober #23: Ancient

― Kait Rokowski [insp]

“Is it the blood? The desert has dried up more blood than you could think of.”

HERE WE ARE, IN THE OUROBOROS, DOING IT AGAIN. HOPING SOME DAY THIS DANMED CYCLE ENDS.

Blade Runner (1982) dir. Ridley Scott

untitled, nicola samorì (2012) // hannibal 3x02

Lawrence of Arabia (1962), dir. David Lean

To S.A.

These stunning mosaics decorate Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome which, according to legend, was built following Pope Liberius’s dream of the Virgin Mary followed by a miraculous summer snow fall the next day indicating where the Virgin wished to have her church. As a result the site is often called “Our Lady of the Snows.” In the 13th century Pope Nicholas IV wanted to redesign the original 5th century mosaic and commissioned Jacopo Torriti in 1291. Upholding the founders dedication to Mary the scenes tell the story of her life with the Coronation as the most prominent scene. It was the first time in Italy that the Coronation was displayed in such a monumental manner. The basilica is also the burial site for the renowned baroque artist Bernini. Both sites are open to visitors.  

presenting a song of ice and fire characters » melisandre of asshai    

lady melisandre wore no crown, but every man there knew that she was stannis baratheon’s real queen.

hi could u explain the etymology behind arabic geographical terms (magrheb, sham, sudan)

hi, sorry for the late reply.

al- maghreb ( المغرب ) means where the sun sets. Morocco was the furthest point where Arabs could see the sunset so this is why  morocco is named Maghreb in Arabic. But, in english and also in Arabic ( al-maghreb al- arabi), it means the north african region ( Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania). We can also say al- Machraq ( المشرق) al-arabi as opposed to al- mghreb, and it refers to the middle eastern region.

Shem / Sham ( شام) is derived from the name Sem, one of the three sons of Noah ( the believed father of semitic people). it is said that he used to live there, in the laventine. the name was altered from Sem to Shem through the years.

Sudan ( سودان ) has a persian and Arabic origin. it means black people in both languages.