Askos Tours

“Memento Mori” the moseic loved by the Pink Floids

The mosaic represents an allegorical and symbolic philosophical theme of the transience of life and death that eliminates disparities in social class and wealth. The summit of the composition is a level with his plumb line, a tool that was used by masons to control the levelling in construction. The axis of the lead isContinue reading ““Memento Mori” the moseic loved by the Pink Floids”

The Skeletons of Herculaneum

Herculaneum was a prosperous resort town inhabited in summer by well-to-do Romans and their servants, in addition to the year-round resident. When the Vesuiuv erupted in 79 A.D. they were all there for the season: aristocrats and slaves, young and old. They fled the volcano’s eruption at the very last minute and wereContinue reading “The Skeletons of Herculaneum”

The Amphitheater of Pompeii

The term amphitheater has Greek origin and it is indicated for the first time by Vitruvius. It has an elliptical structure consisting in an arena where the games took place, and around it stands dedicated to the public. The building was constructed in the recently urbanized south-east of the city, placing it against the cityContinue reading “The Amphitheater of Pompeii”

The Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto, situated at Anacapri, was known locally as “Grotta Gràdola”, the name being taken from the neighbouring ancient landing place of “Gràdola” and “Gradelle”, popular because of its narrow access, and because of the legends about monsters and witches that dwelt in it. The revelation of the “Blue Grotto” was thanks to twoContinue reading “The Blue Grotto”

The House of the Chaste Lovers at Pompeii

The House of the Chaste Lovers gets its name from a symposiac painting depicting a couple exchanging a sensual yet chaste kiss during an outdoor summer banquet organized by two men, accompanied with courtesans lounging on beds under a canopy, where music and dance are the frame for wine and love. The building is actuallyContinue reading “The House of the Chaste Lovers at Pompeii”

One of the tresaures of the Archaeological Museum of Naoples: The Farnesian Atlas (Atlante Farnese)

The statue became part of the collection of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese in 1562. It represents the Titan Atlas supporting the globe on his shoulders, on which are represented in bas-relief forty-three constellations. The peculiarity of sculpture, a Roman copy of the II century. d.C., is its uniqueness, as there are no other figurative monuments thatContinue reading “One of the tresaures of the Archaeological Museum of Naoples: The Farnesian Atlas (Atlante Farnese)”

The Doryphoros of Polykleitos at the Archaeological Museum of Naples

The statue represents the spear-bearer. This statue is located at the Archaeological Museum of Naples and it is one of the best copies we receive from history. T he original statue was executed in bronze by Polykleitos around 440 BC with the purpose to represent the ideal of harmony of the greek man, kalòs KaiContinue reading “The Doryphoros of Polykleitos at the Archaeological Museum of Naples”

Information and advice for visiting Pompeii

Entrance Porta Marina (Marina Gate) – Piazza Esedra (Esedra Square) – Piazza Anfiteatro (Amphitheater Square) Opening times The Pompeii archeological site is open dailyApr–Oct 8:30am to 7:30pm, Nov–Mar 8:30am–5pm. The last entry is 90 minutes before closing. How to get to Pompeii By train Marina Gate and Esedra square: From Naples, take the half-hourly localContinue reading “Information and advice for visiting Pompeii”

Wall painting in Pompeii

The first scholar to classify the Pompeian painting was the German archaeologist August Mau that stood out in four styles. The FIRST STYLE, referring to the period from III to I century BC, of Greek origin, structural style or fouling, was an imitation of stucco, often in relief, a technique called opus quadratum, used toContinue reading “Wall painting in Pompeii”

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD

Findings from the archaeological and stratigraphic surveys on materials deposited during the eruption od Vesuvius in 79 AD compared with Pliny the Younger’s description of the event to Tacitus have shed light on the progression of consequences for people and things during the development of the eruptive event. On the mooring of 24 August 79Continue reading “The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD”