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Bone chemical treatment for radiocarbon dating has drawn the attention of different laboratories because dates of bones and charcoals found in the same layer often disagree. Excluding diet-related reservoir effects, this observation is likely due to a nonoptimized procedure of contaminant removal from the extracted collagen. In this study, systematic work on the bone chemical treatment was performed with the aim to investigate the effect of each known procedure (i.e. AAA, GEL, and ULTR) on the collagen used for 14C dating. Isolation and purification of lipids from animal tissues were performed to estimate eventual offsets induced by the applied methods, by comparing the 14C ages of lipids with those of collagen. Moreover, cremated bones were treated for the first time at CIRCE. Measured 14C isotopic ratios on these samples were used to evaluate the accuracy of the applied procedure by comparing against the results for charcoals found in the same archaeological context as the bones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It will be argued in this paper that Odysseus does not descend into Hades even though he witnesses the punishment of certain sinners and that the latter are envisaged in the sky as constellations. This hypothesis explains the phrase “meadow of asphodels” and the repetitive action of the sinners. It will also be argued that the origin of this cosmology is Egyptian. The Homeric cosmos is divided into a diurnal and nocturnal world: a human habitation and one which lies beyond the sun's orbit and contains the heroes and the dead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis of the real reference and identity of the phrase magna perseis which is depicted in the conversation between Venus-Circe and Medea in the Book 7 of the epic poem "Argonautica," by Valerius Flaccus. It cites the scene where Venus disguised as Circe when she visited Medea to persuade Medea to help and marry Jason. It explores the possibilities that the phrase might refer to Perse, the grandmother of Medea or to Hecate, the daughter of Perses. Nevertheless, it highlights the argument that the phrase refers to Circe based on the implied quote of Medea in which she said that she would not follow the footsteps of her aunt Circe whose married life became miserable with a local man.

The article describes the character of Circe in the Odyssey, emphasizing that she has not only an evil but a positive side to her character. The implications of her being a witch, swearing an oath to Odysseus and being a god are explored. She is also briefly compared with other characters in the Odyssey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jean Dorat (1508-88), the guide and mentor of several poets of the Pléiade, gave a series of lectures on books 10-12 of the Odyssey which were partially preserved in lecture notes taken by a student. These notes, now housed in the Ambrosian Library in Milan, provide a useful insight into his teaching methods. His discussion of the text is largely aimed at providing an allegorical interpretation of Homer, strongly grounded on principles of etymology which owe much to Cratylism. A very wide range of classical and medieval authors are adduced by Dorat in support of his interpretation of the Homeric text, and he includes all the traditional types of allegoresis: moral, physical, historical, metaphysical, and religious. A number of passages of the manuscript are discussed in some detail in the article, including sections on the rivers of the Underworld, Elpenor, Circe and Calypso, Scylla and Charybdis, and Odysseus' shipwrecks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the text and composition of the episode on `Circe' in the book `Ulysses,' edited by Hans Walter Gabler. Importance of the episode in expanding the novel's form; Disadvantages of privileging records at the expense of the author's presence in the work; Reflection of the convoluted composition of the textual states of `Circe.'