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Lodestones: Natural Ferromagnetic Compass
Lodestones are naturally magnetized. Primarily composed of iron oxide, they provide a key to understanding navigation and the Earth's...
Sylvia Rose
2 days ago3 min read
5 views


Pharos Lighthouse: Ancient Wonder of Alexandria
The Lighthouse of Alexandria or Pharos Lighthouse is a beacon for seafarers and a brilliant display of power, wealth and technology in...
Sylvia Rose
Feb 244 min read
19 views


Yeast & Vineyard Microbes: Flavors of Wine
Yeast is a vital microorganism in wine making. From ancient fermentation to modern advancements, yeast influences taste, texture and...
Sylvia Rose
Jan 165 min read
22 views


Pan: Wild Rustic God of Music & Flocks
Pan is the wild rustic god of shepherds, flocks and music. Originating in Arcadia, Greece, Pan embodies the essence of wilderness. He...
Sylvia Rose
Dec 28, 20246 min read
26 views


Kakia: Greek Goddess of Vice & Abominations
Kakia in Greek mythology represents vice and moral corruption. Her name directly translates to wickedness. She relates to darker aspects...
Sylvia Rose
Dec 23, 20244 min read
16 views


Galen: Medical Methods of Ancient Physicians
Galen of Pergamon (c. 129 - 216 AD) is well known in the history of medicine. His extensive writings and theories prevail for over 2000...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 19, 20246 min read
7 views


Aristotle & Subjective Empiricism: Philosophy
Aristotle (384 - 322 BCE) is a Greek philosopher. His contributions span multiple disciplines such as biology, psychology, physics,...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 19, 20246 min read
3 views


Kerotakis: Ancient Alchemical Equipment
The kerotakis (Greek: κυροτακίς) is an ancient alchemical apparatus of multiple purposes, primarily heating substances and collecting...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 6, 20242 min read
17 views


Cleopatra the Divine & the Book of Comarius
Cleopatra the alchemist is active in Alexandria, Egypt c. 300 AD. She may be contemporary to Zosimos , who mentions her in his writings....
Sylvia Rose
Oct 3, 20246 min read
8 views


Seven Precious Stones of the Ancient World
Precious stones are made by economic supply and demand. First, however, they're formed by fire and pressure for millions of years. Prized...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 29, 20249 min read
17 views


Acetic Acid: Vinegar 🜊 in Ancient Alchemy
Acetic acid is a compound with many uses. With chemical formula CH₃COOH, this colorless liquid has a sharp pungent smell and sour taste....
Sylvia Rose
Sep 24, 20247 min read
33 views


Alchemy & Prague: Countess Barbara von Zweibrücken-Neuburg
Barbara von Zweibrücken-Neuburg (1559 - 1618) is described as a striking personality. Intelligent, charismatic and formidable of will,...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 22, 20244 min read
25 views


Earth of Chios: Ancient Alchemy, Cosmetics, & Medicine
Earth of Chios is a white to gray powdery mineral soil or fine grained clay found on the Greek island of Chios. Earth of Chios or Chian...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 20, 20244 min read
19 views


The Alembic: Essential Alchemy Equipment
The alembic is an essential alchemical tool. It functions like a retort, which in lead, iron or copper form has been used through...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 16, 20243 min read
50 views


Ancient Greek Alchemy: ios and iosis
Iosis and ios relate to the final stage of the the alchemical process, or rubedo in Latin. It can be called the reddening or purpling....
Sylvia Rose
Sep 14, 20243 min read
15 views


Living Metals & Genders in Ancient Alchemy
The Alexandrian alchemists, as philosophers of nature steeped in Greco-Egyptian thinking, define the properties of metals as living...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 12, 20245 min read
18 views


Democritus: Laughing Philosopher Ahead of His Time
In ancient philosophical thought, Democritus is a visionary whose ideas continue to illuminate minds. Born in 460 BCE in Abdera, Greece,...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 6, 20242 min read
23 views


Ancient Traders & Buyers: Art of Testing Metals
Testing metals is a precise and varied process in the ancient world. It's a crucial skill in ensuring fair trade and preventing fraud....
Sylvia Rose
Sep 6, 20243 min read
30 views


Metal Smelting & Metallurgy in the Ancient World
Smelting, the art of extracting metal from its ore through heating and extraction, has been a part of human civilization since c. 6000...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 6, 20244 min read
15 views


Zosimos of Panopolis: Father of Alchemy
Zosimos of Panopolis (c. 300 AD) is a pivotal figure in the history of alchemy . Born in Panopolis, ancient Egypt, Zosimos lives in the...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 5, 20245 min read
29 views
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