News update 31/03/2022 17
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At the climax of the performance, a crowd of actors portraying Bacchantes brought onto the stage on raised thyrsus rods not the rag head of the mythical Pentheus, but the head of the defeated Roman commander Crassus and threw it at the feet of the Parthian king to the enthusiastic cries of those present.
Durango and its historic center
Mundaka is famous for its surfing
Torre Loizaga car museum and its Rolls-Royce collection
Balenciaga Museum – born to be fashionable
Hondarribia – the northernmost resort of the Costa Vasca
Oñati and its first Basque university
Orodes did not enjoy his military successes for long. Behind him, a conspiracy was brewing, headed by Prince Fraat. In 37 BC Horod accepted death at the hands of his son, who was named King Phraates IV. Having taken the throne, the parricide king faced problems vital for the state: an exhausting military confrontation with Rome, battles in which the most talented commanders and brave Parthian warriors died. During military clashes, trade froze and the flow of gold to the state treasury dried up. Finally, the ongoing strife both in the family of the king and among his courtiers largely contributed to the weakening of the state. In 20 BC the Parthians had to conclude an agreement with Rome, according to which they returned all the surviving captive soldiers of Crassus and his successors. Later, four sons and four grandsons of King Phraates went to Rome as hostages. But the fate of those who remained at home was even worse. A few years later, all members of the Arshakids family died as a result of palace unrest and conspiracies. The Parthian throne turned out to be free, and Roman diplomacy, supported by the troops, helped its man, Vanon, occupy it. The once mighty Parthia found itself under the control of an old adversary. It seemed that her glory and power remained in the distant past. However, in 10 AD. son-in-law of Phraates IV Arta-ban rebelled, expelled the Roman henchmen and proclaimed himself king, initiating a new Parthian dynasty of younger Arsacids.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Arantzazu
Sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe
San Sebastian – Spanish royal resort
Urkulu Reservoir and its hiking routes
Zarautz and its longest beach in Basque coast
Zumaia – the longest set of continuous rock strata in the world
Abbey of Santa María de Viaceli
Bárcena Mayor and its rural architecture
Carmona and its rural architecture
Castro-Urdiales – a Historic-Artistic Site
Comillas – the Spanish royal resort since 19th century
Ebro reservoir – one of the largest reservoirs in Spain
The state of the Parthians was to exist for more than 200 years. These were difficult times. The Parthians had to defend the western borders from the onslaught of the Romans, repel the raids of the nomads, suppress the uprisings of the conquered peoples, gradually recognizing their independence. Trade grew weak, goods were sent in other ways, palace unrest led to disorder and complete anarchy in the state. When in 212 AD. an uprising broke out in the southwest, in Pars, the Parthians did not have the strength to suppress it in time, because. the state was ruled by two irreconcilable enemies - the brothers Vologez V and Artaban V, unable to reconcile and act together.
Laredo – a Historic-Artistic Site
Liérganes – a historical-artistic complex
Picos de Europa – national park
Santander – the capital of Cantabria
Santillana del Mar – a Historical-Artistic complex
Santo Toribio de Liébana monastery – a National Monument
San Vicente de la Barquera and its attractions
Torrelavega and its attractions
Arévalo – a site of cultural interest
The Parthian state was doomed. The almost 500-year rule of the Arshakids' house ended ingloriously. Others rushed to their throne, dishonored by betrayal, spattered with the blood of victims and executioners. One of them, Artashir, the son of Papak from the Sasan clan, will be able to establish himself on it, starting a new countdown, opening a new page in history.
Ávila – the capital of the province
Bonilla de la Sierra and its Collegiate Church
Mombeltrán Castle was erected by Beltrán de la Cueva, first Duke of Albuquerque
Aranda de Duero and its wineries
Burgos – the capital of the province
Caleruega – the birthplace of Saint Dominic
Covarrubias – a National Historic-Artistic Site
Frías – the smallest city in Spain
Miranda de Ebro and its attractions
Peñaranda de Duero – a Historical Complex
Sindhu - this is how the inhabitants of the country that stretched along its banks called their river; it was known to the Greeks as Indos, and to the natives themselves as the Indus. Easily and naturally, while retaining a recognizable originality, it was transferred from Asia to Europe and the enchanting word India sounded in many languages.
On the territory that in ancient times bore this general name and spread out in a vast triangle between the Arabian Sea, the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal, at the end of the 20th century. There are three independent states: India itself, Bangladesh and Pakistan, through whose lands the legendary Indus flows.
In ancient times, the expanses of Ancient India (namely, it will be discussed) were inhabited by Dravidians - short, dark-skinned, black-haired people with wide noses. Among the inhabitants of South India there are many of their descendants, surprisingly reminiscent of their distant ancestors.
Civil strife, natural disasters, epidemics, invasions were a thing of the past, becoming milestones of a leisurely time. Over the centuries, the Dravidians were replaced by numerous tribes that differed from one another in their way of life, language, beliefs, culture, degree of development, and even the appearance of their representatives.
The inhabitants of the foothills, who did not know the northern winds under the protection of the Himalayas, looked with reverent awe at the highest mountains in the world, sincerely considering the dazzling peaks as the abode of the most revered gods.
Poza de la Sal – a Historic-Artistic Site
Santa María de la Vid – the first Premonstratensian monastery in Spain
Santo Domingo de Silos and its monastery
Dependent on wildlife, the ancient Indians had a deep respect for the water element: after all, water is the key to a rich harvest, and harvest is life. The worship of water, dating back thousands of years, continues in modern times: until now, the Indians consider their most full-flowing river, the Ganges, to be sacred...
If even today the flora of India is striking in its diversity and tropical splendor, then many, many centuries ago, forests covered almost all of its territory. They not only gave the ancient inhabitants of the fairyland wood for handicrafts, weapons, buildings and heating of dwellings, but also fed them with nuts, berries, bananas, mangoes, citrus fruits and other trees. The forests were also supplied with medicinal plants and spices, without which even then Indian cuisine was unthinkable. By the way, later it was spices and incense, which were valued more than gold in Europe, that aroused such interest in India and, to a certain extent, "pushed" Christopher Columbus to the discovery of America... The ancient Indians hunted forest animals and domesticated some of them. We owe much to them that humanity has many varieties of domestic animals, from chicken to elephant.
Astorga – the European birthplace of chocolate
Carucedo lake stands out due to the Roman excavations of Las Médulas
Castrillo de los Polvazares – a Historic-Artistic Complex
Congosto and its Bárcena reservoir
Cornatel castle was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1949
León – the capital of the province
Molinaseca – a Historic-Artistic Site
Monastery of Saint Mary of Carracedo – a National Historical-Artistic monument
Monastery of San Pedro de Montes was founded around the year 635
Peñalba de Santiago and its rural architecture
Ponferrada and its Templar castle
Roman bridge known as Passo Honroso
Villafranca del Bierzo – a Historic-Artistic Site
Virgen de la Peña Sanctuary dates back to the 13th century
However, the inhabitants of India had to wage a constant struggle with the forests, not only clearing land for fields and gardens, but also fighting the advancing jungle from day to day, risking a poisonous snake or becoming a victim of a predator.
The rural population was very numerous. The peasants grew several varieties of wheat, barley, sesame, beans, rice, planted gardens. In dry times, they resorted to artificial irrigation. Archaeological excavations made it possible to establish that almost every peasant household had cows, goats, sheep and poultry. Many Indians kept dogs and cats. Of all domestic animals, cows were the most valued, considered the main wealth of the family. Often because of them there were even armed clashes.
Craftsmen settled in cities, and representatives of each profession lived on the same street. There were, for example, streets of weavers, potters, and jewelers. Household and temple utensils, weapons, production tools were made of bronze and copper. Gold and silver were used for jewelry. Trade flourished. Trade relations with Sumer were especially developed.
History is reluctant to reveal its secrets. But sometimes they become known almost by accident. Once an Indian archaeologist R.D. Banerjee led the excavations. Finding a wonderful monument of the II century. BC, he was very happy and tried to finish the work as soon as possible, when he suddenly discovered the remains of a more ancient culture a little deeper. Thus, the famous Mohenjo-Daro (Hill of the Dead), a whole city that existed more than 4 thousand years ago, arose from oblivion. An even more ancient city of Harappa was also found. By his name, everything created in that era is called the monuments of the Harappan culture.
Aguilar de Campoo – a Historic-Artistic Site
Church of San Juan Bautista – the most original church of all the Visigothic art in Spain
Frómista and its locks on the Canal of Castile
Monastery of Santa María la Real – an old abbey of the Premonstratensian order
Palencia – the capital of the province
Picos de Europa – the second most visited national park in Spain
Scientists have established that Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are the two largest cities of the ancient civilization, possibly the capitals of large political associations. At the highest point in the city stood a citadel, fortified with powerful walls, where people usually escaped from floods. Inside the citadel was a huge pool for ritual ablutions. With the help of a special device, fresh water was supplied here.
Béjar – a historical-artistic complex
Candelario and its architecture
Ciudad Rodrigo – a Historic-Artistic Site
Duques de Alba castle dates back to the 12th century
La Alberca was the first Spanish town to be declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1940
Ledesma – a historical-artistic complex
Miranda del Castañar – a historical-artistic complex
Salamanca – the capital of the province
Salamanca car museum and its collection
Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia – the highest Marian sanctuary in the world
The wide and straight streets of these cities are surprising, the extremely durable brick (even now it is difficult to split it), from which buildings were erected. The houses were two or even three stories high. Instead of windows, small holes were made in the thick walls for lighting: both the thickness of the walls and the tiny windows better protected from the Indian heat. Even the upper floors of the houses had running water to perform ablutions without leaving the dwelling.
Bronze, copper, stone sculptures found by archaeologists help to imagine what the inhabitants of Mohenjo-Daro looked like. Here is a dancer at the temple - young, long-legged, slender, with many bracelets on her arm. And here is the priest. He is very handsome. His eyes are half closed - the priest is immersed in prayer. His robe, thrown over his left shoulder, is decorated with an ornament in the form of a sacred shamrock. Carefully cut hair is intercepted by a wide ribbon falling down the back; on the forehead is a round buckle. The sculpture is made of white steatite (a kind of talc), which has retained traces of red paste. The eyes are made of white mother-of-pearl and this makes them seem alive.
Coca – the birthplace of Roman Emperor Theodosius I
Coca castle – one of the best examples of Spanish Mudejar brickwork
Linares reservoir – a part of the Hoces del Río Riaza Natural Park
Maderuelo – a historical complex
Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso
Segovia – the capital of the province
Sepúlveda – a historical-artistic complex
The society of ancient India was divided into castes (the Indians call them "jatis", and scientists - "varnas"). Belonging to a caste was determined by the birth of a person and was inherited. Representatives of each caste were engaged from generation to generation in the same profession, worshiped the same gods, strictly followed the established rules in relation to each other and members of other castes. One of the hymns of the Rig Veda describes the emergence of castes as follows. There was a mythical first man Purush. Brahmins came from his mouth, kshatriyas from his hands, vaishyas from his thighs, and sudras from his feet. Shudras were considered "ekajati" - "once born." How could members of the first three castes be born twice? In childhood, over the boys of the first three castes, a complex rite of "upanayana" was performed, accompanied by a solemn putting on of the sacred thread "upavita". After that, the boy was considered born a second time. The Shudras were not honored with such a rite.
The most honorable place in society was occupied, of course, by the Brahmins, who performed priestly duties, as they knew the sacred doctrine. They were called "avadhya" - "inviolable". The killing of a Brahmin was considered the greatest crime.
The kings, the military nobility were represented by kshatriyas - "endowed with power." The well-known word “raja” (king, leader) refers specifically to kshatriyas.
El Burgo de Osma – a Historic-Artistic Site
La Cuerda del Pozo reservoir and its tourist activities
Monteagudo de las Vicarías and its castle
Soria – the capital of the province
Santa María la Real de Huerta – a Cistercian monastery
Free community members - farmers, cattle breeders, artisans, merchants - belonged to the Vaishyas.
The position of the Shudras in ancient Indian society was very difficult. They were not supposed to do anything except hard work everyday and humble service to the “twice-born”.
The development of ancient India sometimes seemed to be interrupted and went backwards. So, for example, in the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. semi-nomadic tribes of the Aryans come and settle in India. Indian civilization is disappearing. There is a return to the primitive communal system.