Aristotle's Classroom

[jan]

I believe that Ruthaki had said that she had visited Aristotle's classroom. If you are with us yet, Ruth, could you please tell us about it. I would love to know what it was like. Is it as the original or is it changed?

[marcus]

Hi Jan,I'm not really up to speed with the whole Mieza business, but if I recall Aristotle's lessons took place at the temple of the Nymphs at Mieza. There was no 'classroom' as such, although there were probably rooms that were used for some of the teaching (if, indeed, the lessons included things like the dissection of animals and plants).I'm not aware that the temple still exists, but Ruth has been there, and I haven't, so when she does pop up again I'm sure she'll be able to confirm or refute me! :-)All the bestMarcus

[wmp]

Jan, there's some information (& a picture) of
the School of Aristotle at Isvoria (Mieza) on the
Hellenic Culture website
(http://alexander.macedonia.culture.gr/2/21/211/
21117n/e211qn03.html). There are extensive
caves that have been made into dwellings, and
signs of a covered stoa, above the river, and a
later quarry which has made some of the site
unstable! There's no real signs of the temple of
the Nymphs, but clearly people lived for some
purpose at the Isvoria site, which may have
included religious reasons. The whole area is
rich in archaeological remains - nearby is the
little theatre of Kopanos (a couple of km away),
remains of a Roman villa, &, of course, the
tombs of Lefkadia, etc. I was there in May, in rather wet & chilly weather
(& it does get pretty muddy by the river in Mieza) -
I'm sure Ruthaki has seen Mieza in more
recently & in more clement conditions & can tell
us further about it!yours,wmp

[jan]

Thanks, Marcus,I received your message on the Issus commentary and I agree. My sentiments nearly! The reason that I asked about this is that I believe that I had seen a picture of it in one of the books but I don't recall which book. And as it so happened I had had a strange dream again in which I found myself inside a cave, and was reading the plagues which were on the walls of the cave. There was a large stone like marker in the center but the cavern was otherwise barren except for the plaques which I had been reading. The feeling inside me was that I was so happy that I could read and understand these words which are foreign to me in this time period. But I was aware also of a great intelligence that made me realize that these inhabitants were certainly much more knowledgeable and intelligent than we had given them credit for being. A lot of other things happened after that, which led to the showing of the murder of the iceman on t.v., and I began to wonder at the sequence and nature of the dream. But in seeing a plaque made in honor of Aristotle I found in the book by Robin Lane Fox I noticed enough similarities to wonder if that had been the connection. Sadly to say, all I can remember now is fragmentations. There was a great deal of light coming from what is probably an entryway to the cavern, and it struck me that whereever I was, as I felt quite at home there, had been full of vast intelligence. My impression is that at times, while we think we are in fact, progressed and highly advanced, in truth, we are further from that great source of knowledge available then.sincerely,Jan

[jan]

Thank you so much. I have been able to access the site and will try to find that information. So far, I have found the art museums, and am still learning my way around.I just gave an explanation by way of Marcus about the reason I wanted to know. I had hoped that I could get some insight into it. And I am positive that I have seen a picture of the outside in a book but all entries look quite a bit alike.I really appreciate your telling me what it is like there. I'll try to find it during a dry season.

[jan]

I found the picture on the classroom in a book on Macedonia. Again, it is only a picture of the outside showing the holes that held the stoa or porch. Thanks, and I hope someone will be able to describe the interior of the cave.