Minerva Magazine - September/October 2020

In this issue

TREASURES OF THE SCYTHIAN KINGS
They were the fabled nomadic warriors of the Eurasian steppe. But for centuries their culture remained tantalisingly obscure – a result of their peripatetic lifestyle. In a major new study, the eminent archaeologist Barry Cunliffe pieces together the evidence about this most mysterious of ancient peoples.

THE TEMPLES AT ABU SIMBEL
Unearthed by the great showman Belzoni in the early 19th century, then moved wholesale in the later 20th century, the Great and Small Temples at Abu Simbel are among Egypt’s most extraordinary sights. Nigel Fletcher-Jones narrates the history, both ancient and modern, of the twin monuments to Rameses II and his wife.

WAITING FOR THE EMPEROR
Imperial ideology and Classical archaeology collided headlong during the reigns of Napoleon I and Napoleon III. Dalu Jones reveals how ambition and a genuine interest in the past helped to forge their link to Rome’s illustrious imperial past.

THE TENTH MUSE
A founding-member of the Royal Academy in London, Angelica Kauffman did not follow convention, but instead achieved success in her own right. Lucia Marchini charts the career of a groundbreaking portraitist and history painter.

SAVING NOTRE DAME
In April 2019, a devastating fire blazed through Notre Dame in Paris. As Christa Lesté-Lasserre reports, scientists are now working to revive the historic building – and making exciting discoveries along the way.

Treasures Of The Scythian Kings

Barry Cunliffe, among the most distinguished of world archaeologists, has recently drawn together the evidence for the Scythians in a comprehensive new book, The Scythians: nomad warriors of the steppe. Neil Faulkner asked him what we know of this most mysterious of ancient peoples.

10+ mins

THE TEMPLES AT ABU SIMBEL

Discovered in 1813, moved wholesale to their present location between 1964 and 1968, the Great and Small Temples at Abu Simbel were twin monuments of Rameses II to himself and his wife. Egyptologist Nigel Fletcher-Jones, whose new book Abu Simbel and the Nubian Temples was published last year, takes us on a guided tour.

10+ mins

WAITING FOR THE EMPEROR ROME AND THE TWO NAPOLEONS

Inspired by exhibitions in Rome and Paris, Dalu Jones explores the intersections of imperial ideology and Classical archaeology in the reigns of Napoleon I and Napoleon III.

10 mins

THE TENTH MUSE

Angelica Kauffman was one of the most sought-after artists in 18th-century Europe. She cast aside convention to forge a remarkable career in London and Rome, not just as a portraitist, but also as a history painter, as Bettina Baumgärtel tells Lucia Marchini.

10+ mins

Read all stories from Minerva

Minerva Magazine Description:

Now available for iPad, Minerva magazine gives anyone with an interest in archaeology and antiquities a compelling insight into the ancient world. Minerva explores the lost civilisations of the past, from Ancient Egypt to Greece, Rome and the mighty empires of the Middle East and Asia.

For over 25 years, Minerva has revealed record-breaking auction results, exciting new finds, and untold stories of the distant past, spanning the Stone Age to the Dark Ages and beyond.

Each issue includes:
• News of finds and research from around the world
• Original research by international experts
• Reviews of major new exhibitions
• Latest trends and auction reports from the antiquities market
• In-depth features on history’s most fascinating people and events
• Profiles of leading figures from the world of archaeology
• Reviews of new publications and a must-have events diary