How the Greco-Persian Wars changed the way Athenians drank their wine | Curator's Corner S8 Ep4

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  • Опубліковано 3 тра 2023
  • The Greco-Persian wars are some of the most famous battles in history. The 300 Spartans at Thermopylae. The Greek phalanx at Marathon. The naval victory at Salamis. The end result? Athenian domination of the eastern Mediterranean, and the end of Persian aspirations to control Greece. But the failed invasion attempt by Persia wasn't entirely unsuccessful. While they didn't politically conquer Greece, culturally they were far more successful.
    Join curator Jamie Fraser as he walks you through the Persian way of drinking wine with an Achaemenid rhyton, and how this very eastern way of drinking made it's way into the Athenian symposium (albeit in a different physical form).
    Luxury and power: Persia to Greece
    4 May 2023 - 13 Aug 2023
    BOOK TICKETS: bit.ly/3p5EgYU
    Supported by
    American Friends of the British Museum
    BullionVault
    CONTENT WARNING:
    Contains one most verile, manly, strapping, young servant.
    #curatorscorner #greece #persia

КОМЕНТАРІ • 482

  • @peterbereczki4147
    @peterbereczki4147 Рік тому +901

    That Irving Finkle cameo was pure joy 🤣🤣🤣

    • @MikeClayton
      @MikeClayton Рік тому +19

      Upstaged by the master

    • @imintheraindripdripdrop
      @imintheraindripdripdrop Рік тому +26

      I mean he's got experience. He probably used to pour wine for these guys when he was a kid

    • @kellyradtke4885
      @kellyradtke4885 Рік тому +2

      Hilarious

    • @n8vmilk
      @n8vmilk Рік тому +3

      @@imintheraindripdripdrophis younger image appeared in the tile mosaics under “virile, manly, young and strapping”

    • @AlpenTree
      @AlpenTree Рік тому +1

      Fascinating history, excellent speaker. Demos cretos people power, this should be more widely-known.

  • @lisalesinszki7536
    @lisalesinszki7536 Рік тому +333

    Irv Finkel played the part of manservant with the greatest display of manliness and virility that I have ever seen.

  • @loolylooly81
    @loolylooly81 Рік тому +301

    How can you mistake Irving Finkle of anything but youngest most virile?! He is amazing!
    Thank you so much Jeremy for the amazingly educational session 🥰🥰

  • @igrim4777
    @igrim4777 Рік тому +130

    That strapping serving boy, keep an eye on him, he seems wise beyond his years. I've seen him rooting around the treasure rooms, playing board games when he should be working, and poking pointy sticks into mud. He's too smart and charismatic for his own good. A trouble maker and rabble rouser if ever I saw one.

    • @googiegress7459
      @googiegress7459 11 місяців тому +3

      There are many irresponsible youths in the palace these days.

  • @carrie4696
    @carrie4696 Рік тому +501

    I died. Irving is a national bloody treasure.

    • @patriciaoudart1508
      @patriciaoudart1508 Рік тому +12

      As if we don't see him he is present by tone and humor!, So, playing the servant , a new time he killed Us! Love those series by BM, unique in the World, and I m french🤗🙋

    • @ecurewitz
      @ecurewitz Рік тому +6

      That guy is great, we need more of him

    • @Terri_MacKay
      @Terri_MacKay Рік тому +8

      In he bounded. 😂❤

    • @simonfuller4492
      @simonfuller4492 Рік тому +1

      Read the description 😉

    • @MichaelKingsfordGray
      @MichaelKingsfordGray Рік тому +2

      How can you send comments from the grave?

  • @8xMorladumx8
    @8xMorladumx8 Рік тому +12

    4:52
    What a strapping young lad xD

  • @youremakingprogress144
    @youremakingprogress144 Рік тому +37

    I could have just looked at those two vessels and thought, "Wow, those are impressive. Great craftsmanship," and gone about my day. I appreciate Jamie Fraser explaining the historical context of the objects and what they can tell us about the cultures they were made in. This is why we have curators like this.
    And yes, Irving Finkel's cameo appearance is a perfect example of why I love British humor.

  • @learrus
    @learrus Рік тому +20

    This is like if Monty Python became an archeological education show and I love it. Crying from laughing

  • @professorsogol5824
    @professorsogol5824 Рік тому +80

    Note that both these vessels are designed so that the user cannot put them down until the wine has been entirely consumed. Also please note that in at least this case the volume of the bowl standing in for the Persian royal cup seems to be less than that the serving device. The inevitable result will be the Persian king will be sitting there with a partially filled device in his right hand and a full bowl of wine in his left. Does the king drink and refill his bowl? Does he serve those sitting beside him? If he slips up after a couple of bowls of wine, does wine run all over the table? And we are told that, at that time, people enjoyed their meals while reclining on couches. So 1) reclining on one's left elbow, 2) holding the cup in the left hand, 3) the dispenser in the right hand and 4) bringing the bowl to the lips and actually drinking must have be quite a trick.

    • @lawrencecarlstrom3465
      @lawrencecarlstrom3465 Рік тому +10

      I think the wine goes straight into his mouth without the second bowl. That seems like what would be done by someone who uses a drinking cup that can't be set down until you've drunk all your wine.

    • @rabbitsforyang8273
      @rabbitsforyang8273 Рік тому +12

      it would be the role of the king's cupbearer, not the king, to aim the wine and to keep it from being poisoned

    • @blixten2928
      @blixten2928 Рік тому +6

      @@rabbitsforyang8273 Yes, I agree. And the King's cupbearer would be serving first the King, and then the next-in-line-to-be-specially honoured dignitary. Whereas the Greek vessel may be more one-person (unless you do like the Scandinavians, whose drinking-horns went from person to person until empty).

  • @alocino96
    @alocino96 Рік тому +97

    ahahahaha, irving's cameo was perfect, but this was a very interesting curator's corner aside from that, it's very interesting to think how an object could influence a society and change it, and naturally it's a very interesting story.
    also it's very interesting knowing that griphons existed already in the 450 b.c. , it would be interesting to see a series on mythological animals and artifacts associated to them.

    • @myriamickx7969
      @myriamickx7969 Рік тому +3

      No, it's to think how a society could influence an object and remake it, by turning it upside down as it were.

  • @lawrencecarlstrom3465
    @lawrencecarlstrom3465 Рік тому +49

    Personally, think luxury is being so respected at the British Museum that Irving Finkle is your wine servant. Also, luxury is drinking at work and no one says a word.

  • @vivz5592
    @vivz5592 Рік тому +9

    Im a Chinese, and it is fascinating to me listening to James' telling of these two objects. Thank you James Fraser, I am so going to see this exhibit

  • @RaminTork
    @RaminTork Рік тому +19

    A fantastic episode ( although I don't ever recall one which was not interesting). As a Persian I always thought that we've had so much in common with the Greeks even though historically we were enemies. I never thought I would see Irving Finkle in a Ganymede role!

  • @ruthcroft1766
    @ruthcroft1766 Рік тому +36

    Thanks Jamie, I thoroughly enjoyed your talk/explanation. I studied Ancient History for 'A' level many moons ago, so was attracted to this topic. Sadly, we won't be able to visit the Museum while this is on, but if I ever get to the Museum, I will look for these wonderful items and remember your talk:-) Currently I'd be a good match for the 'most virile young servant'....Best wishes, Ruth in Brum.

  • @IslandInteractions
    @IslandInteractions Рік тому +22

    wonderful storytelling - with Irving Finkle as the icing on the cake! 🙂

  • @oulipolesceptique9449
    @oulipolesceptique9449 Рік тому +15

    I can't recall being so completely absorbed by this sort of presentation before. Really well done, thank you!

  • @StudyWithParsi
    @StudyWithParsi Рік тому +7

    I love old Persia cultures and his arts ❤️😘💯.

  • @TRAZ4004
    @TRAZ4004 Рік тому +14

    Looking forward to the new exhibit, Persia to Greece.

  • @anotherwesley7661
    @anotherwesley7661 Рік тому +14

    I love this demonstration so much, I don't think I've ever fully seen a rhyton in action like that (with a surprise Finkle appearance, no less). Placing the objects in their social context, and in their comparative context, giving a sense of the transfer and transformation of ideas and values (especially that particularly enduring western phobia of eastern "decadence"), and makes them so much more meaningful than just interesting art objects on display. I live for any chance to see what can be sort of reverse-engineered of Achaemenid history by deconstructing Greek sources, I would love to see this exhibit, truly regret being on the wrong side of the Atlantic.

  • @Gdsm9
    @Gdsm9 Рік тому +17

    Terrific video, as usual. And the special guest appearance by the indomitable Dr. Finkel was tremendous. 😂

  • @MKHobson
    @MKHobson Рік тому +12

    The wine spouting out of the chest made me think of how blood might flow if an animal were sacrificed. Was that part of the iconography of these objects? Were they intended to evoke ritual connotations?

    • @unknown.1043
      @unknown.1043 2 місяці тому

      But that’s not a sacrificial animal such as a ram or a lamb. That’s a griffin. They’re semi-divine creatures.

  • @ptonpc
    @ptonpc Рік тому +11

    Good choice having Irving Finkle being the strapping virile one :D This was a fascinating video. Thank you Jamie Fraser and all involved.

  • @jamestalbert3951
    @jamestalbert3951 Рік тому +14

    Really fascinating analysis of history that goes deeper than what's written. Bravo!

  • @nazaninkhaksari3004
    @nazaninkhaksari3004 Рік тому +3

    I'm Persian and love the video

  • @beth12svist
    @beth12svist Рік тому +4

    I don't know if anyone's commented on this, but I must say, I really appreciated how this particular presenter repeats his most important points so that they really stick in the mind and you know how it all fits together! And of course the practical presentation is also great.

  • @mojosbigsticks
    @mojosbigsticks Рік тому +5

    Yay Prof Finkel!

  • @chrisball3778
    @chrisball3778 Рік тому +17

    I'm almost certain that the Athenian drinking vessel represents an Eagle, most likely a Golden Eagle. The beak is too large for a falcon or a hawk, and the only vulture species in the Mediterranean region with a feathered head is the Lammergeier (also known as the Bearded Vulture), which is extremely distinctive and looks nothing like the artefact. Loved the Dr Irving Finkel cameo.

    • @ianison9820
      @ianison9820 Рік тому +4

      And the Golden Eagle is an avatar of Zeus - here, the hooded figure almost seen at the end of the symposium in the empty rhyton.

    • @chrisball3778
      @chrisball3778 Рік тому +1

      @Nnnoon If you knew what species you meant, then I could look into it, but without that info, I just have no idea what you're talking about. That description doesn't seem to match any Eurasian Hawk species I know of... but I admit I'm just an interested amateur and not a real expert. If you're talking about some really obscure species, then it's still more likely that the drinking vessel represents a Golden Eagle, as they're one of the the largest avian predators in much of Eurasia and are a well-known species throughout their range.

  • @EcceJack
    @EcceJack Рік тому +2

    This was a really fantastic video! Some of the parallels and the differences between the two objects are quite striking at first glance already, but delving further reveals so much more not just about then, but about the times and the cultures overall. Really great work

  • @_de_reve
    @_de_reve Рік тому +1

    i always get happy when you guys upload!! ready to learn something new today as well. Loved the humorous and fun way you explained this! Oh, and the cameo of Mr. Finkle was absolutely delightful!✨

  • @jayrich71
    @jayrich71 11 місяців тому +1

    I've grown to enjoy this channel very much. This channel never disappoints. ❤

  • @schedelworld
    @schedelworld Рік тому

    This was so fantastic! Thank you!

  • @merlapittman5034
    @merlapittman5034 Рік тому +5

    Fascinating video! The beauty and detail of those two artifacts are amazing, as are the talent and imagination of the artists who created them. And I loved the cameo by the wonderful Dr. Irving Finkel. He's marvelous!

  • @marianneb.7112
    @marianneb.7112 Рік тому +2

    Excellent! Thank you very much. ❤🎉

  • @Chrissileinen
    @Chrissileinen 7 місяців тому +1

    This is pure genius! What a way to educate us! Laughing and learning - love it!

  • @chaosPneumatic
    @chaosPneumatic Рік тому +1

    Clicked on this while having my evening wine. Perfect timing! I love learning how ancient cultures enjoyed the same mundane things we enjoy today but in such interesting and dramatic ways.

  • @mellie4174
    @mellie4174 Рік тому +2

    Omg! You two were hilarious! Ivring played it perfectly! Love you Mr. Finkle!

  • @googiegress7459
    @googiegress7459 11 місяців тому

    This was a lovely piece, thanks for all the hard work here.

  • @rengarthedwarf4029
    @rengarthedwarf4029 Рік тому

    This was wildly fascinating and extremely well-done!

  • @edpark
    @edpark Рік тому

    That. This was amazing. thank you.

  • @mellie4174
    @mellie4174 Рік тому

    Also just loved the whole video and especially the demonstration!

  • @luisinlondon
    @luisinlondon 10 місяців тому

    Fascinating. The objects in Jamie's hands really come to life and tell their tales. Having been to the exhibition, I really appreciate the depth of information he managed to fit in a few minutes. I hope we can see more of you in future, Jamie.

  • @pepeabascal412
    @pepeabascal412 Рік тому +1

    Great work Jamie!

  • @athena03000
    @athena03000 Рік тому

    Learned something new. Thank you for this.

  • @Boombox69in
    @Boombox69in Рік тому

    Excellent vibes, ty

  • @kuukeli
    @kuukeli Рік тому

    thank you for the video

  • @lizziematteri4218
    @lizziematteri4218 Рік тому +8

    How fun it must be to have Irving Finkle as a coworker!!!

  • @sabinaarroyo6717
    @sabinaarroyo6717 Рік тому +2

    Loved the finest bowl you could find in the canteen and the awesome performance of both Jamie and Irving! hahahah this made my day

  • @melizen2
    @melizen2 Рік тому

    Marvelous - thank you!

  • @muddyfox50
    @muddyfox50 Рік тому

    Brilliant, thank you

  • @wesleysanders8570
    @wesleysanders8570 Рік тому

    Brilliant Video!

  • @annelambert9876
    @annelambert9876 10 місяців тому

    Great insight and the Irving Finkel servant gig was superb!
    I love curators’ corners!

  • @jaysmith8199
    @jaysmith8199 10 місяців тому

    Absolutely fascinating. I've never heard or seen these objects before so I've learnt a lot. The explanation was tremendous. Thank you Jamie

  • @98Zai
    @98Zai Рік тому

    Super cool video!

  • @buzzyinurface
    @buzzyinurface Рік тому

    WHAT a presentation! Amazing!

  • @HiharaKazukisan
    @HiharaKazukisan Рік тому

    That was a very well presentation. Probably the most captivating historical story telling I’ve seen. Done give this man a documentary to direct!

  • @shannahenk1655
    @shannahenk1655 Рік тому

    Very cool! That bird cup, in particular, is amazing!

  • @nancywysemen7196
    @nancywysemen7196 Рік тому

    what a terrific teaching model.thank-you.

  • @abdullaho3008
    @abdullaho3008 Рік тому +1

    This was so awesome to watch to

  • @lucasfrazee6562
    @lucasfrazee6562 Рік тому

    What a dope department to curate!

  • @juliaconnell
    @juliaconnell Рік тому

    ok, far too busy right now - trying to find time to watch all this wonderful new content - was already enjoying immensely, thank you Jamie - before the young strapping servant bounded in... all my love to always wonderful Irving Finkle 💖💗💖 - to you both - *thank you* 🍷🥂🍷

  • @davidcaldecoat7414
    @davidcaldecoat7414 Рік тому

    Very informative

  • @amasulem
    @amasulem Рік тому +1

    Felt a bit Tomorrow's World (old UK tv series when demonstrations sometimes didn't go according to plan) when the demonstration kicked off. I liked this as it gives a bit of life behind the objects. Great job.

  • @pbingre
    @pbingre 11 місяців тому

    A brilliant interpretation, James.

  • @Myndness
    @Myndness Рік тому

    thanks for giving this great insight. My girlfriend and me just started doing some pottery and this was quite inspiring.

  • @nemogotti4920
    @nemogotti4920 Рік тому +1

    That is some fantastic workmanship. The Persian wine rhyton was exquisite

  • @MSeanMcManus
    @MSeanMcManus Рік тому

    This video is fantastic.

  • @ShawarMoni
    @ShawarMoni 11 місяців тому

    Das pretty dope yo!

  • @anac4950
    @anac4950 Місяць тому

    love this

  • @patriciaoudart1508
    @patriciaoudart1508 Рік тому +8

    Very interesting with humor! I remember Irving about how greek medicine was considering the Levant one. I've never seen a democracy, ceramic or silver, this is always elite's luxury. The Anatolian Rython reminds me those found in Thracian's treasures. As I'm living in South East Bulgaria.

  • @j__r0d
    @j__r0d 11 місяців тому

    these are the juicy details about history that I love the most! I want a bird mug now.

  • @assya5937
    @assya5937 10 місяців тому

    I was lucky enough to visit the museum and see the exhibition, I can't overstate how good it was, what an amazing job!

  • @anooshs6689
    @anooshs6689 11 місяців тому +1

    As a Persian I find this discussion to be fascinating. Thanks for sharing

  • @19cerni91
    @19cerni91 Рік тому

    this is most interesting thing i have seen this month. I am just an electritian, but i realy find it amazing. Good job

  • @girishgangan
    @girishgangan Рік тому

    Sir, just marvelous 😊

  • @BlackReaper0
    @BlackReaper0 Рік тому

    This is very interesting, and the pouring moment was way too good.

  • @radicalrodriguez5912
    @radicalrodriguez5912 Рік тому +1

    fun learning

  • @jewel65
    @jewel65 11 місяців тому

    This episode was hilarious! Good job guys!😂😂😂😂

  • @finlayfraser9952
    @finlayfraser9952 Рік тому

    Super!

  • @gabrielsandoval4994
    @gabrielsandoval4994 Рік тому

    Very interesting. Really enjoyed it. At 12:31 something you would find at a market in Tijuana 😊

  • @catoelder4696
    @catoelder4696 Рік тому

    AWESOME!

  • @dahak972
    @dahak972 11 місяців тому

    I saw Irving talk in Newburgh, NY back in I think 2011 or 12. It was standing room only and everyone was completely enthralled.

  • @janetmackinnon3411
    @janetmackinnon3411 Рік тому +5

    Thank you. So interesting and so clearly expounded. Are there other examples of cross-cultural artisic influence?

  • @streetographer
    @streetographer Рік тому +3

    Irving has never looked so strapping. 😂

  • @marthavillegas6250
    @marthavillegas6250 11 місяців тому +1

    The lovely Irving Finkel! Great addition to this video.

  • @Akuryoutaisan21
    @Akuryoutaisan21 Рік тому

    Amazing

  • @creepinwhileyousleepin
    @creepinwhileyousleepin Рік тому +3

    This is the deepest, art history style response Ive heard for why there's novelty drinking cups lol.

  • @curtiswfranks
    @curtiswfranks Рік тому

    Right on!

  • @OshinAttari
    @OshinAttari Рік тому +2

    قلبم میشکند وقتی میبینم میراث باستانی ایران در موزه های لندن ، پاریس و نیویورک است .
    ای کاش بتوانیم یک روز میراث اجدادمان را پس بگیریم!!!! 🇮🇷❤️

    • @based-iranian
      @based-iranian Рік тому

      نه اونجا بمونه بهتره چون نباید دست آخوندا بیوفته وگرنه همه رو می‌فروشن قاچاق میکنن یا خراب میکنن
      وقتی آخوندا رفتن بعدش پسشون میگیریم

  • @giantred
    @giantred Рік тому

    That cameo made me so very happy :)

  • @joletapetty6706
    @joletapetty6706 11 місяців тому

    Not to overshadow your wonderful presentation, Jamie, well done mate! But that cameo from our resident crazy uncle Finkle was the gold plate on our silver wine pourer 😂

  • @twii6842
    @twii6842 Рік тому +11

    the Irving is great

  • @lwaldron9745
    @lwaldron9745 Рік тому +2

    @01:35 "... self-declared nemesis...." The Persian threat wasn't something the Hellenes just dreamed up.

  • @dianafreeman3331
    @dianafreeman3331 Рік тому +1

    Brilliant job as usual Jamie, you are a born educator, however keep an eye on that servant boy with a penchant for the contents of the rhyton
    Diana Freeman

  • @borisdorofeev5602
    @borisdorofeev5602 Рік тому

    @4:52 I was lmao for real because that joke had layers and the timing was perfect.

  • @golDroger88
    @golDroger88 Рік тому +2

    He's a very good speaker.

  • @juliamarple3785
    @juliamarple3785 Рік тому

    Wow. ♡♡♡

  • @nrm224
    @nrm224 Рік тому

    Wow. Just wow.

  • @svesnimajmun2731
    @svesnimajmun2731 Рік тому +2

    In serbian there is a saying, although mostly used by kids to ridicule other kids, due to its inherent sillyness) "ko se bije, taj se voli". it has multiple diferent, altough simmilar translations, most prominten are "who are fighting (each other), (they) are loving (each other)" or the, "who is beang beat(en), is being loved". The reason why I mention is that warfare between 2 groups, almost with a guarantee results in a shared influence. Rome is the prime example of that, they either responded with a new counter measure in occasion, in another sthraight up adopted thier enemies tactic, a lot of thier equipment arguably is ibero-celtic, and everything in between.

  • @kisonecat
    @kisonecat Рік тому +1

    The hawk cup's ability to be viewed two ways reminds me of the "bunny/duck" optical illusion.

  • @acanthus_et_adonis8922
    @acanthus_et_adonis8922 Рік тому +2

    The Irving Finkle cameo killed me oh my god--