Simon Bralee
@simonbralee.com
Advocate for arts and humanities. I believe in the importance of sharing the stories of research to create impact outside of universities. Comms professional and history postgrad researching Anubis in the Roman World. 🏛️🐍
He/him
He/him
As I wait for festivities to begin, I am thinking of my favourite Christmas mornings in literature. Nothing beats Oscar and Lucinda when the hero tries a Christmas Pudding against the wishes of his puritanical father who has strong feelings towards “Satan's fruit”.
What’s your favourite? 📚💙
What’s your favourite? 📚💙
December 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM
As I wait for festivities to begin, I am thinking of my favourite Christmas mornings in literature. Nothing beats Oscar and Lucinda when the hero tries a Christmas Pudding against the wishes of his puritanical father who has strong feelings towards “Satan's fruit”.
What’s your favourite? 📚💙
What’s your favourite? 📚💙
1. It has Joe Pesci in it.
2. It has a Christmas tree in it.
It’s a Christmas film.
2. It has a Christmas tree in it.
It’s a Christmas film.
December 24, 2025 at 8:58 PM
1. It has Joe Pesci in it.
2. It has a Christmas tree in it.
It’s a Christmas film.
2. It has a Christmas tree in it.
It’s a Christmas film.
For unto us a child is born. Ceramic images of mothers and children from Cyprus, possibly goddesses c. 700-300 BCE. Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates. 🎄 🏺 #AncientBluesky
December 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
For unto us a child is born. Ceramic images of mothers and children from Cyprus, possibly goddesses c. 700-300 BCE. Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates. 🎄 🏺 #AncientBluesky
Catching up with an old friend over the holidays.
In his autobiography, full of old scandals, some still remembered, EF Benson recalls showing William Gladstone new epigraphic evidence from Roman Chester. Gladstone was “fiery [in] his advice about making squeezes” and a bit of a know it all.
In his autobiography, full of old scandals, some still remembered, EF Benson recalls showing William Gladstone new epigraphic evidence from Roman Chester. Gladstone was “fiery [in] his advice about making squeezes” and a bit of a know it all.
December 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Catching up with an old friend over the holidays.
In his autobiography, full of old scandals, some still remembered, EF Benson recalls showing William Gladstone new epigraphic evidence from Roman Chester. Gladstone was “fiery [in] his advice about making squeezes” and a bit of a know it all.
In his autobiography, full of old scandals, some still remembered, EF Benson recalls showing William Gladstone new epigraphic evidence from Roman Chester. Gladstone was “fiery [in] his advice about making squeezes” and a bit of a know it all.
Reposted by Simon Bralee
An exquisite delft shaving basin from the 17th century. The decoration features a plethora of shaving accoutrements. The semi-circular gap fits the neck of the shavee, allowing the bowl to collect hair and cream. The two small holes to the side suggest it was hung up on display.
December 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
An exquisite delft shaving basin from the 17th century. The decoration features a plethora of shaving accoutrements. The semi-circular gap fits the neck of the shavee, allowing the bowl to collect hair and cream. The two small holes to the side suggest it was hung up on display.
Reposted by Simon Bralee
December 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reposted by Simon Bralee
The death of Dr Paul Ayris is huge loss to UCL, to @uclpress.bsky.social and to the open access/scholarly communications community more broadly.
His open access Thomas Cranmer’s Register
A record of archiepiscopal administration in diocese and province is published by the Press in January. 1/2
His open access Thomas Cranmer’s Register
A record of archiepiscopal administration in diocese and province is published by the Press in January. 1/2
Thomas Cranmer’s Register
Discover Thomas Cranmer’s Register (1533–1553), a pivotal Reformation document revealing England’s break from Rome and the rise of Protestantism. This open access book offers unprecedented access with...
uclpress.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The death of Dr Paul Ayris is huge loss to UCL, to @uclpress.bsky.social and to the open access/scholarly communications community more broadly.
His open access Thomas Cranmer’s Register
A record of archiepiscopal administration in diocese and province is published by the Press in January. 1/2
His open access Thomas Cranmer’s Register
A record of archiepiscopal administration in diocese and province is published by the Press in January. 1/2
A weary look that says he’s seen it all. I have a similar energy, as I head into my Saturnalia and Christmas holidays.
Small marble statuette of Thoth sitting on a pillar from the Roman period Egypt. Now held in the Allard Pierson🏺 #Egyptology #AncientBluesky
Small marble statuette of Thoth sitting on a pillar from the Roman period Egypt. Now held in the Allard Pierson🏺 #Egyptology #AncientBluesky
December 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
A weary look that says he’s seen it all. I have a similar energy, as I head into my Saturnalia and Christmas holidays.
Small marble statuette of Thoth sitting on a pillar from the Roman period Egypt. Now held in the Allard Pierson🏺 #Egyptology #AncientBluesky
Small marble statuette of Thoth sitting on a pillar from the Roman period Egypt. Now held in the Allard Pierson🏺 #Egyptology #AncientBluesky
Reposted by Simon Bralee
#ReliefWednesday It's Mercury at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle.
Found next to Newcastle upon Tyne Fort.
Mercury is carrying a purse and caduceus symbolising his dual role as god of trade and messenger of the gods.
#AncientBlueSky🏺
Found next to Newcastle upon Tyne Fort.
Mercury is carrying a purse and caduceus symbolising his dual role as god of trade and messenger of the gods.
#AncientBlueSky🏺
December 17, 2025 at 11:34 AM
#ReliefWednesday It's Mercury at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle.
Found next to Newcastle upon Tyne Fort.
Mercury is carrying a purse and caduceus symbolising his dual role as god of trade and messenger of the gods.
#AncientBlueSky🏺
Found next to Newcastle upon Tyne Fort.
Mercury is carrying a purse and caduceus symbolising his dual role as god of trade and messenger of the gods.
#AncientBlueSky🏺
Classically-inspired sleigh. It’s kid-size, so I wonder if it was meant to be pulled by smaller animals like dogs, sheep or even geese or swans(?). From a shop window in Amsterdam, so don’t have any more information. 🗃️ #ClassicsBluesky
December 14, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Classically-inspired sleigh. It’s kid-size, so I wonder if it was meant to be pulled by smaller animals like dogs, sheep or even geese or swans(?). From a shop window in Amsterdam, so don’t have any more information. 🗃️ #ClassicsBluesky
Reposted by Simon Bralee
My review of All Roads Lead to Rome
All Roads Lead to Rome
A review of Rhiannon Garth Jones’ new book
rhakotis.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
My review of All Roads Lead to Rome
Reposted by Simon Bralee
This little Iron Age piggy from Hounslow, Middlesex, would love to wish you a happy #FindsFriday, but is concentrating far too hard on sniffing out a truffle hidden beneath the baize.
2nd-1st century BC. British Museum.
2nd-1st century BC. British Museum.
December 12, 2025 at 9:09 AM
This little Iron Age piggy from Hounslow, Middlesex, would love to wish you a happy #FindsFriday, but is concentrating far too hard on sniffing out a truffle hidden beneath the baize.
2nd-1st century BC. British Museum.
2nd-1st century BC. British Museum.
Reposted by Simon Bralee
Rare Incense Burner Depicting Egyptian God #Serapis Unearthed in Ancient City of Ephesus
#Turkiye #archaeology #Egyptology
arkeonews.net/rare-incense...
#Turkiye #archaeology #Egyptology
arkeonews.net/rare-incense...
Rare Incense Burner Depicting Egyptian God Serapis Unearthed in Ancient City of Ephesus - Arkeonews
A Bryaxis-inspired Serapis incense burner discovered in Ephesus reveals new insights into ancient religious life, Egyptian cults, and the
arkeonews.net
December 9, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Rare Incense Burner Depicting Egyptian God #Serapis Unearthed in Ancient City of Ephesus
#Turkiye #archaeology #Egyptology
arkeonews.net/rare-incense...
#Turkiye #archaeology #Egyptology
arkeonews.net/rare-incense...
Reposted by Simon Bralee
Our annual Loeb tree is up! It's topped with a 3D print of a 3rd century BCE terracotta figure housed in the library @palaeofuturist.bsky.social sketchfab.com/3d-models/la...
December 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Our annual Loeb tree is up! It's topped with a 3D print of a 3rd century BCE terracotta figure housed in the library @palaeofuturist.bsky.social sketchfab.com/3d-models/la...
Since he is trending in the news, I thought I’d share this lovely object which may depict the funerary temple dedicated to Amenemhat III (aka the labyrinth) and the nearby town of Crocodeilonpolis with its tame crocodile, both described by Strabo (17.1.37-38) 🏺 #AncientBluesky #Egyptology
December 8, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Since he is trending in the news, I thought I’d share this lovely object which may depict the funerary temple dedicated to Amenemhat III (aka the labyrinth) and the nearby town of Crocodeilonpolis with its tame crocodile, both described by Strabo (17.1.37-38) 🏺 #AncientBluesky #Egyptology
Could the remains of an actual ship linked to the Isidis Navigium festival have been found? #egyptology #AncientBluesky
December 8, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Could the remains of an actual ship linked to the Isidis Navigium festival have been found? #egyptology #AncientBluesky
The Egyptian God Heryshaf portrayed as a Roman Emperor, possibly as a symbol of his power against evil spirits or in providing benefices. We have examples of other animal gods portrayed in this way including Apis, Anubis and Horus. From Heracleopolis, now Allard Pierson 🏺 #Egyptology #AncientBluesky
December 7, 2025 at 8:16 AM
The Egyptian God Heryshaf portrayed as a Roman Emperor, possibly as a symbol of his power against evil spirits or in providing benefices. We have examples of other animal gods portrayed in this way including Apis, Anubis and Horus. From Heracleopolis, now Allard Pierson 🏺 #Egyptology #AncientBluesky
A gorgeously pagan aquamanilia, ewer, used to wash hands before dining or celebrating the mass(!?), c. 1220-1230, Hildesheim, now in Rijksmuseum. Recalling depictions of Rhea or Cybele. #ClassicsBluesky
December 6, 2025 at 9:30 AM
A gorgeously pagan aquamanilia, ewer, used to wash hands before dining or celebrating the mass(!?), c. 1220-1230, Hildesheim, now in Rijksmuseum. Recalling depictions of Rhea or Cybele. #ClassicsBluesky
According to a later myth, St Nicholas smacked Arius during a heated moment in the Council of Nicaea. A favourite festive fact.
#AshmoleanAdvent Day 6: St Nicholas
Today marks St Nicholas Day.
St. Nicholas of Myra was a 4th-century Christian bishop known for his kindness and generosity.
In this icon dating back to the 15th century, St Nicholas is shown as the Miracle Worker.
Today marks St Nicholas Day.
St. Nicholas of Myra was a 4th-century Christian bishop known for his kindness and generosity.
In this icon dating back to the 15th century, St Nicholas is shown as the Miracle Worker.
December 6, 2025 at 8:05 AM
According to a later myth, St Nicholas smacked Arius during a heated moment in the Council of Nicaea. A favourite festive fact.
Reposted by Simon Bralee
Some 1,900 years ago a child was buried with an array of terracotta figurines in the #Roman town of Arae Flaviae, #Rottweil: 2 pigeons, 2 dogs, 2 roosters, a chicken, a duck, and a female figure, commonly identified as Iuventas, the personification of youth. Rather than....🧵1/2
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December 4, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Could Anubis be the original Santa Claus, he who judges the naughty and the nice?
On this stele from Kom Abu Billo a deceased woman sits in a shrine and makes an offering to the god to thank him or keep him happy. (c. 150-200CE). Now in Fitzwilliam. 🏺 #AncientBluesky #Egyptilogy
On this stele from Kom Abu Billo a deceased woman sits in a shrine and makes an offering to the god to thank him or keep him happy. (c. 150-200CE). Now in Fitzwilliam. 🏺 #AncientBluesky #Egyptilogy
December 4, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Could Anubis be the original Santa Claus, he who judges the naughty and the nice?
On this stele from Kom Abu Billo a deceased woman sits in a shrine and makes an offering to the god to thank him or keep him happy. (c. 150-200CE). Now in Fitzwilliam. 🏺 #AncientBluesky #Egyptilogy
On this stele from Kom Abu Billo a deceased woman sits in a shrine and makes an offering to the god to thank him or keep him happy. (c. 150-200CE). Now in Fitzwilliam. 🏺 #AncientBluesky #Egyptilogy
My top band this year, the American all female rock trailblazers, Fanny. I am in good company. David Bowie called them “one of the finest rock bands of their time … They were just colossal and wonderful, and nobody’s ever mentioned them.”
December 3, 2025 at 8:46 PM
My top band this year, the American all female rock trailblazers, Fanny. I am in good company. David Bowie called them “one of the finest rock bands of their time … They were just colossal and wonderful, and nobody’s ever mentioned them.”