Cremation Of ST Mark

[kenny]

Hail CompanionsI have just done some research on the Corpse Of the ST Mark and his reamains in Venice. I may be totally of the Mark but St Marks body was indeed burned. So who is in Venice its so tantalising that Alexandrers Body disapearded at the time this relic turned up?I feel by now were there any chance Alexanders body in Alexandria I would have been found or evidence relating to it.Now Ive seen the pictures of the tomb in Venice and the thoughts of I wonder going through my mind. i reaally dont understand why no investigation.Its so tantalising. A few exrays .Broken Bones particulally damage to the rib cage where the arrow went in. carbon dating all the science and technolgy why not a little peek.Is there religious and political reasons stopping this. I would have a little wager. I would also wager gainst my fellow Porthonians I would offer fair odds that Poison were found in there.Any offers?kenny

[Efstathios]

It is a complicated matter.You just cant go and examine the remains of a Saint like this.On the other hand if there is a possibility that the remains belong to Alexander it should be looked into. The fact that St Mark was burned doesnt tell us anything.Burning would not necessarily mean that the bones would be turned into ashes.If the fire didnt last that long his bones could have remained.And of course there is the possibility that due to the fact that he became a Saint (the moment he was dying actually) his bones remained.That if we believe that there is such a possibility.An Atheist would not believe this, but it doesnt matter.All senarios are open. Has anyone except the priests there has actually seen the bones?Because the traces of the fire can be easily identified.

[Taphoi]

The bones said to be those of St Mark in the Basilica di San Marco in Venice are intact, including an intact skull with teeth. This is reported in the book published by Manin after he had seen the remains when they were transferred from the crypt in 1811. Decayed cloth wrappings were found still adhering to some of the remains "almost forming a parcel". It is most unlikely that these remains had ever been cremated. A container with partially obliterated Greek letters was found with the remains at that time.The current attitude of the Church is that the comments describing the remains by Manin (just one short paragraph) are satisfactory and that there is therefore no need for further investigation. Obviously, Pothosians are free to make their views on the matter known to the Church and others.Best wishes,Andrew

[Efstathios]

Well there is another matter.The body of Alexander was embalmed.So,unless it was left in an open space for hundreds of years it should have been almost in the condition of Tutanghamon.So these probably couldnt be the remains of Alexander in Venice.Afterall the body of Alexander was alledged to be intact until his tomb was sealed several hundreds of years after his death.And he was put in an open sarcophagus,inside the tomb...

[Taphoi]

The crypt of St Mark's was dank and subject to continual flooding. That is why the remains were relocated to lie beneath the high altar. The remains were there for almost a thousand years. What is remarkable is that they were not more decayed.Best wishes,Andrew

[kenny]

Andrew HailYour expertise and knowledge of this particualr artifact Go beyond most of us. I based my theory after reading your bokk as I knew nothing about it at all until you brought up the issue.Where do you stand on this.Would you say if to go on gut instinct that these are Alexander. Even if they are not with only the slightest chance whoever has rights to these owes it to us even Christians to have a look.Forme there was too long Alexander was on display and the peoples and cultures that crossed its path some one must have made off with it. As you said in your book indeed the remains could have been destroyed due to the christian perges on pagan Images.Ifindeed was the case how can Alexanders body be in anyway regarded as pagan.Here was an actual relic of legend history and a matter of factness than no one could justify destroying.Kenny

[Efstathios]

The hunt of the ethnics and the burning of ancient greek temples e.t.c, happened (climaxed) in Emperor Theodosius' time.Many orthodox churches were built uppon ancient temples.You can still see the remains of the old ancient floor in some churches.Sometimes the priests tried to save ancient antiquities.maybe that happened with Alexander also. But i doubt it that Theodosius would want Alexander's body destroyed.After all Theodosius was an Emperor who as all previous emperors,romans and byzantines,was inspired of Alexander's military achievements.So maybe the tomb was left untouched. The tomb was sealed anyway to prevent futher lootings off his body (must i remind you Calligulas?).Maybe during the years and foreign invasions the tomb was deliberately forgotten,and other structures may have rissen above it.

One of the theories about the location of the tomb says that its under an orthodox churce there.I cant remember any details now, i have to find the article again, but i think that it's a very convincing possibility.So if Alexander's remains are not in Venice the next place would be there.Under that churce in Alexandria.I have also read that some archaiologists have asked of the Egyptian goverment to make an excavation there but until now it hasnt been permitted. The egyptian goverment should also clear the way for an excavation under the Sphinx (in front of the leggs actually) as there is a room under there which alledgedly contains artifacts or information about Atlantis.But that's another story...

[kenny]

efs
Hail
Theories Ideas and tantalising hints at the whereabouts of our guy.
Obstacles politics and religion holding up progress and answers.I ask Porthonians indeed what will we would we learn from the discovery of Alexandere.Is it what some Archiological holy grail. Unlike a lot of discoveries I doubt gold jewels and hoards of treasure.We can accept that all Alexanders wealth was in one way and onether pilfered from his gold saracophacus been replaced my glass.I also just wonder how many economies conquests etc from the Original Alexander treasuries were as a result.The wealth of Rome.the Oppulence of Constantinople.The Gold and Jewels of The Byzantium just how much of these wealths were once Boxed up in the vailts of Susa Persepolis and babylon to be distributed across the world in a thousand carts and mules.just a thoughtkenny

[Paralus]

If I had to bet, I'd be backing Alexandria. I wouldn't be backing the fact that we'd find evidence (substantial portions of the ancient city being under water if not under ground) but I doubt the Ptolemys would have let slip their founding Dynast's greatest propaganda coup without a fight."Christian purges" may well have done the remains in though as lord knows we Christians have proven the most culturaly intemperate of bastards over time.

[Efstathios]

Of course, the results from Alexander's campaign are many.It somehow influenced things hundreds of years after.All the genrals and Kings looked uppon Alexander with great respect and admiration of his achievements. It would be very exciting to find his body.And just imagine if he is somehow well preserved (As he was embalmed it is possible if the tomb remains well sealed),to open the tomb and there he will be,Alexander.

[Efstathios]

Of course, the results from Alexander's campaign are many.It somehow influenced things hundreds of years after.All the genrals and Kings looked uppon Alexander with great respect and admiration of his achievements. It would be very exciting to find his body.And just imagine if he is somehow well preserved (As he was embalmed it is possible if the tomb remains well sealed),to open the tomb and there he will be,Alexander.