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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

🧟 Eventually Glámr was defeated by Grettir, but was cursed to die young. Some draugr would hurt anyone lucky enough to be alive but unlucky enough to encounter them. So you better hope you don’t run into one. ➡️ For more on draugr, see here: www.scandinavianarchaeology.com/the-draugr/

scandinavianarchaeology.com

The Draugr – Scandinavian Archaeology

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

🧟 In ‘Grettir’s Saga’, an Icelandic work of literature, a shepherd named Glámr becomes a draugr after he was killed by a wight & buried improperly. Glámr would kill the living, perhaps out of jealousy that they still drew breath. He turned them into draugr so they would suffer alongside him.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

🧟 These restless corpses primarily guarded their own gravesites & killed anybody who dared to take their grave goods. Some believed that if you could successfully rob a grave, you could command the draugr, but who would risk it? Sometimes Draugr went further than just guarding burial sites.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

🧟 All those who would desecrate a grave beware or risk falling victim to the draugr. Draugr are undead monsters from Norse mythology that somewhat resemble zombies, though they are far stronger, bigger & more intelligent than your modern day walkers.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

📣 Attention undergrads in the US! Apply by October 31 for our Conference Scholarship for your chance at up to $500 to fund your first academic conference. Many thanks to the Russ Family Foundation for their generous gift. 👉 www.saveancientstudies.org/scholars… #SASA #SaveAncientStudies

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🌙 Although this calendar was later changed, adding two new months at the beginning of the year, October has retained its name. ➡️ For more on the etymology of the month October, see here: www.timeanddate.com/calendar/rom...

timeanddate.com

The Roman Calendar

This is the predecessor to our modern calendar. Some of its features are still in use today.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🌙 The calendar, which was heavily inspired by the ancient Greek calendar, had only ten months. The eighth month was named after its place on the calendar, ‘octo’ (eight), resulting in the name October.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🌙 What do Romulus and Remus have to do with October? The legendary founder of Rome, Romulus, is said to have overhauled the Roman calendar system around 738 BCE. This follows a cultural pattern of crediting legendary figures with practices whose origins had been lost.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🐍 Snakes and Ladders has been adapted all over the world! Even if most versions aren’t used to teach the value of karma anymore, it still reminds us that it’s a long & difficult process to reach the top! ➡️ For more on Snakes and Ladders, see here: ancientgames.org/moksha-patam...

ancientgames.org

Moksha Patam: The Spiritual Indian Origins of Snakes and Ladders

Discover how Moksha Patam, an ancient Indian game of karma and salvation, became the beloved children's game Snakes and Ladders. A journey through Hindu philosophy and British colonialism.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🪜 Each ladder represented a virtue, like compassion, discipline, or honesty, and some can take you further than others. There were also fewer ladders than snakes to remind players that it’s harder to be good than it is to be bad.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🪜 The bottom of the board represents the earthly plane, while the top represents the divine realm of Vaikuntha. 🐍 Each snake represents a vice, such as cruelty, which would move you lower down the board. Some vices, like murder, were worse than others & could take you further away from Vaikuntha.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🐍 The game Snakes and Ladders is actually about the Hindu concept of Karma! 🪜 Snakes and Ladders was originally Moksha Patam, or “liberation game.” It’s been around in India since at least the 13th century, though texts dating back to the 2nd century BCE mention a similar game.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🎃 Spooky season is here! All October, enjoy fun facts, free resources & live events leading up to our Halloween Bash (Oct 24-31) with masterclasses and more. Your donations keep it free & spooktacular. 👉 www.saveancientstudies.org/hallowee… #SASA #SaveAncientStudies #HalloweenBash

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

📜 Want to take a deep dive into an ancient studies topic, but don't know where to start? Check out the SASA Intro Guides project to get basic overviews of general and complex topics (large and small)! ➡️ Check out our Intro Guides here: saveancientstudies.org/intro-guides

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

⚡Did he defeat the Olympians? Only one way to find out… ➡️ For more on the art of Arion, see here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWz6...

youtube.com

Vintage Manga: Art Of Arion Flip Through

YouTube video by World Tree Studio

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

⚡ Arion escapes and leads a movement to dethrone Zeus and his family. Thanks to Arion’s crusade, this movie provides an ending to over 3,000 years of stories about the Greek gods, all with beautiful hand-drawn art.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

⚡ Can a mortal defeat the gods? ‘Arion’ is a 1986 anime film directed by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, based on the manga he also wrote. After being tricked into going into the Underworld, the titular Arion is convinced by Hades that Zeus blinded his mother, Demeter, and that by killing Zeus he can save her.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

✨ The Greeks also used these types of vials for oil, as well as perfume! ➡️ For more on alabastron glass, see here: learn.ncartmuseum.org/artwork/alab... & www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

learn.ncartmuseum.org

Alabastron – NCMALearn

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

✨ Greek artists were influenced to make alabastron glasses from a variety of materials like faience! Faience is a quartz-like material, which gives off a glass-like shine when meticulously processed. Greek alabastron bottles were shaped into vials or like an amphora.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

✨ Perfume was quite popular in the ancient Mediterranean region, with common ingredients ranging from lilies to cinnamon. These perfume bottles were created with colorful glass & stones, taking interesting shapes! Additionally, the beautiful craftsmanship made the bottles a signifier of wealth.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Join us at 2 pm PST tomorrow for Kingdom Come Live Play-through! Loves gaming? Love Classics? Combine them by participating in an Archeogaming Livestream! #gaming #classics #sasa

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

✨ This is an ancient glass perfume bottle! This bottle, called an alabastron, originated in Greece and is estimated to be from around the 1st century BCE. However, the first version of these types of glasses is speculated to be from Egypt.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🎮CALLING ALL EDUCATORS! Check out our FREE Archeogaming Education Module (#AEM) - Raidin’ and Tradin’: The Viking Diaspora’ This AEM, created in collaboration with Adam Bierstedt, explores the culture and traditions of early Viking communities. ➡️saveancientstudies.org/archaeogaming-modules

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

📚Grab your copy and find discounts on all the books and novels featured during SASA Book Club livestreams! 💕10% of every book purchased through SASA's bookshop comes directly back to help us Save Ancient Studies! ➡️Shop NOW: bookshop.org/shop/saveancientstudies #SASA #Ancient

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

⚡One thing that makes Seth so mysterious is that it’s not clear what animal his head is supposed to be! It’s been theorized to be a fox, an aardvark, a jackal, a donkey & even a rabbit, but nobody is sure. ➡️ For more on Seth, see here: web.sas.upenn.edu/discentes/20...

web.sas.upenn.edu

Seth, a Dynamic and Enigmatic God

Seth, a Dynamic and Enigmatic God By Will Byun Multiple debates concern the true nature of Seth, Son of Nut. Since he is described as the god of confusion and disorder (te Velde, “Seth”), one may b…

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

⚡Despite being a god of chaos, Seth was once greatly revered & worshiped. Unfortunately, his influence waned around the 20th Dynasty. This was due to several ongoing foreign conflicts, which led people to destroy his statues & images. After this period, Seth was seen as a‘demon’ instead of a god.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

⚡In ancient Egypt, foreigners, whom Seth defended as their patron god, were seen as threats, making people distrust the god. Moreover, he was quite strong, given his scepter (seen in the image) weighed around 4,500 pounds! Hence why he was also known as the god of strength.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

⚡Have you heard of the Egyptian god of chaos, confusion, strength & foreigners? Seth was the god of chaos & confusion, causing disorder in the lives of those who lived in the floodplains of Egypt. He’s also the god of the desert (“Red Land”), while Horus was the god of the fertile “Black Land.”

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🛡️ Vercingetorix was forced to surrender and sent to prison in Rome, while the defenders of Alesia were massacred or sold as slaves. Once Caesar had finished his conquest of Gaul, he led a triumphant parade through Rome before executing Vercingetorix.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🛡️ Later in the year, the Gallic chieftain found himself trapped within the city of Alesia as Caesar laid siege to the city. The Gauls managed to rally against the Roman army, but Caesar himself joined the battle and rallied his men, driving back the Gauls and winning the battle.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🛡️ In 52 BCE, Vercingetorix massacred the Roman settlement of Cenabum, avenging the Eburones tribe. He called the tribes to arms, cut supply lines & burned cities & farms to keep them from helping Caesar’s army. Vercingetorix’s cavalry was able to outfight, outrun & outmaneuver the Roman forces.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🛡️ As Caesar expanded his control of Gaul by employing its occupants as mercenaries against the Germans, Roman law & culture began to be instituted. The Gauls refused to submit, and as revolts arose, Caesar took command of the Roman forces himself & attacked the Eburones tribe as an example.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🛡️ Who was Vercingetorix, the enemy of Julius Caesar? Vercingetorix (82-46 BCE) was a Gallic chieftain who opposed Julius Caesar’s Roman invasion of Gaul and is now considered the first national hero of France.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

🏺 Calling all archaeology students and enthusiasts! Council for British Archaeology Yorkshire Autumn Showcase 📅 Saturday, October 17 🕙 10am-5pm BST 🎓 Student discount available 🎟️ Tickets: ow.ly/Sw6A50ZQLIA #SASA #SaveAncientStudies #Archaeology #CBAYorkshire #ClassicsMatter

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

🖋 Though the Olmec language has yet to be deciphered, the language consists of repeating symbols which are pictorial in nature. Though the modern viewer might recognize the symbols as being representative of fish and corn, understanding what those symbols meant to the Olmecs is a different story.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

🖋 It measures over a foot in length & is about the size of a small TV, but much thicker. The writing of the Olmecs is different from any other writing we’ve seen. It consists of 62 symbols arranged in linear patterns on one side & the text found on the block exhibits signs of long linear sequences.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

🖋 How did the ancient Olmecs communicate? The Cascajal Block (replica pictured here) is proof that the ancient Olmecs were among the very first civilizations in Mesoamerica to develop a written language! The block has been dated to 900 BCE and is made of serpentine.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

JOIN US TOMORROW! SASA will be doing a live play-through of Tribes of Midgard TOMORROW on Friday, September 25th @ 12pm PST. #gaming #ancientworld #classics #live

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

⛏ Stuck on a term in an excavation report or journal article? We've got you. Browse our FREE glossaries, brought to you by the SASA Archaeological Terms and Translation project: saveancientstudies.org/archaeological-terms #SASA #AncientStudies #Archaeology #Glossary #MaterialCulture #OpenAccess

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

❗Event is happening TOMORROW! RSVP today! LIVE interview with @artifactually_speaking at 9 a.m. EST on Thursday, September 24th. RSVP now: www.saveancientstudies.org/event-de… #live #liveevent #interview

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

🌉 The bridge, which was in ruins, was reconstructed during the early 700s under the governor Al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani. Since then, every couple of centuries the bridge has been renovated by whoever controls the area at the time, making it a bridge not only across a river, but across time.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

🌉 After Augustus formed the Roman Empire, he ordered a more permanent bridge to be built where the wooden bridge was. The bridge would become a part of an incredibly important trade route. Most of the current arches of the bridge were built during the Muslim rule of the Iberian Peninsula.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

🌉 The Córdoba bridge is in modern-day Andalusia, Spain! For 2,000 years, it was the only bridge that crossed the Guadalquivir River. The bridge was first constructed by Julius Caesar, who ordered a wooden bridge to be built over the river in ~40 BCE to help him defeat Pompey during their civil war.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

JOIN US TOMORROW! SASA will be doing a live play-through of Kingdom Come - Deliverance on Wednesday, September 23rd @ 3pm PST. #gaming #ancientworld #classics #live

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

🐐 It’s been over a thousand years since any goats were sacrificed on Yom Kippur (as far as we know), but the concept has stuck around. Now, instead of being a part of a ritual for divine redemption, scapegoats are just people you blame for things going wrong, which arguably defeats the purpose.

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Save Ancient Studies Alliance @saveancientstudies.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

🐐 In Leviticus, the third book in the Torah, a ritual of atonement is created for Yom Kippur. The high priest, Aaron, would confess his & his people’s sins to two goats. One goat would be sacrificed, while the other would be let loose into the wilderness & given whatever punishment G-d saw fit.

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