Apega of Nabis: Difference between revisions
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==Origins== |
==Origins== |
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King Nabis, who is believed to be from the so-called [[Eurypontid]] [[dynasty]], created the device in the image of his own wife, Apega, a tyrant herself who helped in furthering her husband's ambitions. Queen Apega was described as a [[Sparta]]n woman who had exceeded her husband's viciousness and wielded power to satisfy her own greed.<ref name=Google |
King Nabis, who is believed to be from the so-called [[Eurypontid]] [[dynasty]], created the device in the image of his own wife, Apega, a tyrant herself who helped in furthering her husband's ambitions. Queen Apega was described as a [[Sparta]]n woman who had exceeded her husband's viciousness and wielded power to satisfy her own greed.<ref name=Google/> The Iron Apega was further described as the personification of the evilness and deceitfulness of the real Queen Apega, and was said to be equal to [[Pandora]], the [[first woman]] in [[Greek mythology]].<ref name=Google>Pomeroy, Sarah B. [http://books.google.com/books?id=c3k2AN1GulYC&pg=PA89&lpg=PA89&dq=apega+of+nabis&source=web&ots=oK87i2D7eL&sig=6FgHXp9EmPEcnH6tydU7dhNJ6cM&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result ''Spartan Women'', "Elite Women, The Last Reformers: Apega and Nabis and Chaeron" Oxford University Press US (2002), pp. 89–90], 198 pages, Books.Google.com, ISBN 0195130677 and ISBN 9780195130676.</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 00:16, 30 September 2009
The apega of Nabis, also known as the iron apega, as described by Polybius,[1] was an ancient torture device similar to the iron maiden. It was invented by Nabis, a king who ruled Sparta as a tyrant from 207 to 192 BC.
Device description
The mechanical Apega, according to Polybius, was a machine, a well-executed replica or duplicate of the real wife of Nabis, and was used by Nabis to collect money from unwilling Spartan citizens. The Apega machine was said to be dressed in expensive clothing, but the underside of the device's arms, hands, and breasts were covered with iron nails that were capable of crushing the body of its victim. Nabis would control the machine through hidden switches or devices, until the victim agreed to pay a tribute, or to the point of death.
The automaton Apega was one of the "advancements in technology" of the Greco-Roman era that were used as implements of torture. Together with other torture devices such as the cross, fire, the wheel, and the brazen bull of Phalaris, the mechanical Apega of Nabis was labeled by the Discovery Channel program on September 23, 2008, as one of the ancient "Machines of Malice."[2]
Origins
King Nabis, who is believed to be from the so-called Eurypontid dynasty, created the device in the image of his own wife, Apega, a tyrant herself who helped in furthering her husband's ambitions. Queen Apega was described as a Spartan woman who had exceeded her husband's viciousness and wielded power to satisfy her own greed.[3] The Iron Apega was further described as the personification of the evilness and deceitfulness of the real Queen Apega, and was said to be equal to Pandora, the first woman in Greek mythology.[3]
References
Specific
- ^ Polybius, 13.7. The thrust of Polybius' anecdote is the extent to which the tyrannical cruelty of Nabis would drive him. Neither F. W. Walbank (A Historical Commentary on Polybius, vol. II, 1967:420f) nor P.A. Cartledge and A.J.S. Spawforth, Hellenistic and Roman Sparta: A Tale of Two Cities London 1989:72) believe this story. Sarah B. Pomeroy, Spartan Women 2002:90, credits it because of other documented Hellenistic automata.
- ^ Clements, Barbara (University Communications staff writer), “Apega of Nabis.” one of the “Machines of Malice” on a Discovery Channel program aired on September 23, 2008, Professor (Eric Nelson) Appears On Discovery Channel This Week, Campus Voice, Pacific Lutheran University, New.PLU.edu, Sept 19, 2008
- ^ a b Pomeroy, Sarah B. Spartan Women, "Elite Women, The Last Reformers: Apega and Nabis and Chaeron" Oxford University Press US (2002), pp. 89–90, 198 pages, Books.Google.com, ISBN 0195130677 and ISBN 9780195130676.
General
- Norbert Borrmann: Lexikon der Monster, Geister und Dämonen, Berlin, 2000 ISBN 3-89602-233-4 (German)
- E. T. Sage: An ancient robotette. In: Classical journal, Bd. 30, 1935, S. 299–300.