The past surrounds us. This depiction is just a few blocks from where I live. Mythology is often used as public art to give meaning to public places. Let’s play a game. Take your digital camera and see if you can walk a few blocks from your home and find an image that seems to reflect ancient mythology.
Is there something like this near you? Send your photos to Ancient Rome Refocused at: rob@ancientromerefocused.org
Give us a description of what we’re looking at, your name, location, and I will put it on the blog.
How strange is it that the past is continually with us. Who can read what the photo to the left means? It’s fairly easy for the image of the blinded justice with the scales of justice. This needs little interpretation. She may be based on Themis, one of the Titans. Her meaning is the ‘neutrality’ in decision making. She is also known at Justitia, a Roman Goddess of Justice.
My real reason to put this on the blog is the drama played beneath her feet. What do you see? A Tortoise and a Hare from the fables of Aesop. “JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED” is written on the pedestal. This is the the basis of our Sixth Amendment in the right to a ”speedy trial.” I remember at first I was a bit confused when trying to make the connection between the tortoise and a “speedy trail” but then I remembered the hare took a nap, which gave time for the tortoise to make it to the finish line first.
(I am looking for JPEGS that tell a story, and provide meaning to public spaces that tap into ancient mythology. If you know of one give us a description of what we’re looking at, your name, location, and I will put it on the blog. TELL ME WHAT MYTHOLOGY IS NEAREST YOU!)
Rob Cain has traveled extensively through Europe, Italy, and Egypt. He was formerly on active duty with the United States Army. He is a fan of history, and enjoys reading books on the history of Rome. He currently has a podcast presentation on itunes and hipcast. The blog is for the free and open discussion of Ancient Rome based on Mr. Cain's observations noted in his podcast. Most episodes start out with an original dramatic narration written by Mr. Cain. In the podcasts he will include his own unique commentary, and interviews with subject matter experts. Comments are welcome and will be highlighted on the show. 
Episode 10, “Nothing New Under the Sun. Get Over it”, features the book, “The Ancient Guide to Modern Life” written by author, comedian, and TV commentator Natalie Haynes.” Whether political, cultural, or social, there are endless parallels between the ancient and modern worlds. Whether it's the murder of Caesar or the political assassination of Thatcher; the narrative arc of the hit HBO series, The Wire, or that of Oedipus; the popular enthusiasm for the Emperor Titus or President Obama – over and over again we can be seen to be living very much like people did 2,000 or more years ago. It's time for us to re-examine the past. Our lives are infinitely richer if we take the time to look at what the Greeks and Romans have given us in politics and law, religion and philosophy and education, and to learn how people really lived in Athens, Rome, Sparta and Alexandria. 
This is a book with a serious point to make but the author isn't just a classicist but a comedian and broadcaster who has made television and radio documentaries about humor, education and Dorothy Parker. This is a book for us all, not for an elite.
