This face was placed on a temple roof for one specific job: to scare evil away before it ever got inside.
The Temple of Zeus at Aizanoi, built under Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, is considered the best-preserved Zeus temple in all of Anatolia. Displayed at the site is a massive carved bust, originally an akroterion, a roof ornament, from the temple's northwest gable.
In Greco-Roman belief, a face like this was apotropaic, meaning its purpose was to ward off evil simply by being seen. Not decoration. A warning, carved in stone, mounted where everyone would notice it.
Nearly 2,000 years later, she's still up there watching.
So, sometimes, I like to watch no commentary walking tours on YT of cities I want to visit.
This one in Mykonos, Greece is a fave.
It begins in an alley facing the ocean with one of the most breathtaking views. And that quiet moment alone before getting to the bazaar 🤌🏾
Growing up hearing “Wikipedia isn't a valid source” and then entering a workplace where people say “just ask ChatGPT” is a surprisingly strange timeline