Scott McDonough
@sjmcdonough.bsky.social
Historian of the late ancient world: Sasanian Iran, the Caucasus, and the Eastern Roman Empire. Professor at William Paterson University. I like cats, photography, and sweet cabbage pierogi.
William II of Sicily's (1166–1189) kinky boots. It almost looks like he's wearing them in the dedication mosaic of Monreale Cathedral.
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 AM
William II of Sicily's (1166–1189) kinky boots. It almost looks like he's wearing them in the dedication mosaic of Monreale Cathedral.
Provincia Mesopotamia is poorly represented too. I've driven on highways that follow the old Roman routes to Nisibis/Nusaybin and Amida/Diyarbakır. It seems a strange omission.
November 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Provincia Mesopotamia is poorly represented too. I've driven on highways that follow the old Roman routes to Nisibis/Nusaybin and Amida/Diyarbakır. It seems a strange omission.
Some details from the Parthian Rhyta of Old Nisa. From the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
November 4, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Some details from the Parthian Rhyta of Old Nisa. From the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
Going through my summer photos from the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi), which has amazing ancient collections and...contemporary art.
November 4, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Going through my summer photos from the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi), which has amazing ancient collections and...contemporary art.
Rhyta on parade at the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
November 4, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Rhyta on parade at the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
This vase found in the Buddhist Stupa at Merv was really snazzy. Now at the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
November 4, 2025 at 2:50 AM
This vase found in the Buddhist Stupa at Merv was really snazzy. Now at the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
A bit of fall color from my morning walk.
November 2, 2025 at 1:11 AM
A bit of fall color from my morning walk.
Can anyone identify the bloated disciples on this bizarre Fodzyme ad that showed up in my Facebook feed? I'm curious if Judas snuck out before the gluten consumption...
Also, is it canonical that the Body and Blood of The Lord cause bloating?
Also, is it canonical that the Body and Blood of The Lord cause bloating?
October 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Can anyone identify the bloated disciples on this bizarre Fodzyme ad that showed up in my Facebook feed? I'm curious if Judas snuck out before the gluten consumption...
Also, is it canonical that the Body and Blood of The Lord cause bloating?
Also, is it canonical that the Body and Blood of The Lord cause bloating?
I took this photo in 2017 on the road back from Badlands National Park. I think it still holds up. Moo!
#photography
#photography
October 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I took this photo in 2017 on the road back from Badlands National Park. I think it still holds up. Moo!
#photography
#photography
Basically the same:
October 22, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Basically the same:
As a tall man who is always hunching over out of fear that I’m blocking someone’s view, I can’t help but admire my cat, who was never in her entire life even contemplated the idea that she might be in someone else’s way.
October 21, 2025 at 7:44 PM
As a tall man who is always hunching over out of fear that I’m blocking someone’s view, I can’t help but admire my cat, who was never in her entire life even contemplated the idea that she might be in someone else’s way.
Ultimately, Merv is a place you really need to experience in person. Between Sultan Kala and Gyaur Gala, and surrounding structures it truly sprawls. If I go back, I'd like to spend more time walking there, but since it was August, I mostly got from point to point by air conditioned SUV. 2/
October 19, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Ultimately, Merv is a place you really need to experience in person. Between Sultan Kala and Gyaur Gala, and surrounding structures it truly sprawls. If I go back, I'd like to spend more time walking there, but since it was August, I mostly got from point to point by air conditioned SUV. 2/
My photos don't do justice to the incredible scale of the archaeological site of Merv, Türkmenistan. I took this one of Sultan Kala (the Islamic city) with a 35mm lens from the structure popularly identified as al-Maʾmūn's palace. You can barely see the line of the walls and Sultan Sanjar's tomb. 1/
October 19, 2025 at 11:25 PM
My photos don't do justice to the incredible scale of the archaeological site of Merv, Türkmenistan. I took this one of Sultan Kala (the Islamic city) with a 35mm lens from the structure popularly identified as al-Maʾmūn's palace. You can barely see the line of the walls and Sultan Sanjar's tomb. 1/
Two adjacent posts in my feed have featured late ancient/early medieval buckets, so I'm going to jump on this bandwagon with a super fancy bucket found in Zerzevan Kalesi, a Byzantine fortress ruin between Diyarbakır and Mardin. Now in the
Diyarbakır Museum. #humpdaybucket #Byzantine
Diyarbakır Museum. #humpdaybucket #Byzantine
October 16, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Two adjacent posts in my feed have featured late ancient/early medieval buckets, so I'm going to jump on this bandwagon with a super fancy bucket found in Zerzevan Kalesi, a Byzantine fortress ruin between Diyarbakır and Mardin. Now in the
Diyarbakır Museum. #humpdaybucket #Byzantine
Diyarbakır Museum. #humpdaybucket #Byzantine
Krum the Fearsome (Крум Страшни) was always a favorite of mine. Turning a Byzantine Emperor's skull into a drinking cup *chef's kiss.* Plus, the name sounds like a character out of Conan.
October 15, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Krum the Fearsome (Крум Страшни) was always a favorite of mine. Turning a Byzantine Emperor's skull into a drinking cup *chef's kiss.* Plus, the name sounds like a character out of Conan.
I appreciate the bait-and-switch the ʿAbbāsids supposedly pulled in their call to revolt, claiming that they would bring forth “a member of the House of the Prophet who shall be pleasing to everyone,” while not actually naming the Caliph-in-Waiting until the revolution was almost done. 1/
October 15, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I appreciate the bait-and-switch the ʿAbbāsids supposedly pulled in their call to revolt, claiming that they would bring forth “a member of the House of the Prophet who shall be pleasing to everyone,” while not actually naming the Caliph-in-Waiting until the revolution was almost done. 1/
If this is a Para, sometimes the number under the Tughra is the specific denomination, sometimes it is the regnal year. I think this might be an Egyptian coin with ry. 33 of Abdülhamid II. Like the one below, also from ry. 33. Same flower too...
October 10, 2025 at 2:42 AM
If this is a Para, sometimes the number under the Tughra is the specific denomination, sometimes it is the regnal year. I think this might be an Egyptian coin with ry. 33 of Abdülhamid II. Like the one below, also from ry. 33. Same flower too...
Thanks entirely to my wife, I saw the Local Honeys tonight at Cafe Wha? They were fantastic!
I also appreciate concerts that end at 8PM, I’m old!
#LocalHoneys
I also appreciate concerts that end at 8PM, I’m old!
#LocalHoneys
October 10, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Thanks entirely to my wife, I saw the Local Honeys tonight at Cafe Wha? They were fantastic!
I also appreciate concerts that end at 8PM, I’m old!
#LocalHoneys
I also appreciate concerts that end at 8PM, I’m old!
#LocalHoneys
Hey, I'm one follower away from 1000. Let's see if I can get over the top if I post another prominent numismatic honker.
Judging from his silver penny, Edward The Martyr of England (r. 975–8) was just a beak and an eyeball.
#Numismatics
#OneThousand
#CloutChasing
Judging from his silver penny, Edward The Martyr of England (r. 975–8) was just a beak and an eyeball.
#Numismatics
#OneThousand
#CloutChasing
October 9, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Hey, I'm one follower away from 1000. Let's see if I can get over the top if I post another prominent numismatic honker.
Judging from his silver penny, Edward The Martyr of England (r. 975–8) was just a beak and an eyeball.
#Numismatics
#OneThousand
#CloutChasing
Judging from his silver penny, Edward The Martyr of England (r. 975–8) was just a beak and an eyeball.
#Numismatics
#OneThousand
#CloutChasing
I gave a talk today on my campus, since my Dean generously gave me funding to visit Central Asia this past summer. I enjoyed myself and I got a lot of good questions from those in attendance. Plus, I got to show of some Sasanian coins.
October 9, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I gave a talk today on my campus, since my Dean generously gave me funding to visit Central Asia this past summer. I enjoyed myself and I got a lot of good questions from those in attendance. Plus, I got to show of some Sasanian coins.
Karl XII of Sweden (r. 1697–1718 CE), check out the snout.
October 9, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Karl XII of Sweden (r. 1697–1718 CE), check out the snout.
Francis I of France, "François du Grand Nez" (r. 1515–1547 CE), sporting a glorious ski-slope.
October 9, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Francis I of France, "François du Grand Nez" (r. 1515–1547 CE), sporting a glorious ski-slope.
Carlos III of Spain (r. 1759–88 CE) had quite the snout on him.
October 9, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Carlos III of Spain (r. 1759–88 CE) had quite the snout on him.
Who had the largest nose in numismatic history?
I'm particularly impressed by the schnoz on the Parthian king Mihrdāt/Mithradates II (r. 124–91 BCE), but there must be bigger.
#Numismatics
#Proboscis
#Parthia
I'm particularly impressed by the schnoz on the Parthian king Mihrdāt/Mithradates II (r. 124–91 BCE), but there must be bigger.
#Numismatics
#Proboscis
#Parthia
October 9, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Who had the largest nose in numismatic history?
I'm particularly impressed by the schnoz on the Parthian king Mihrdāt/Mithradates II (r. 124–91 BCE), but there must be bigger.
#Numismatics
#Proboscis
#Parthia
I'm particularly impressed by the schnoz on the Parthian king Mihrdāt/Mithradates II (r. 124–91 BCE), but there must be bigger.
#Numismatics
#Proboscis
#Parthia