We have created a new set of images of our reconstruction of the Temple of Dionysus at Teos. The new images show the building within its proper built environment context, which was missing in the first set of renders. Our newer renders feature more realistic materials and texturing, and a greater variety of perspectives and lighting conditions than our previous ones.
Additions
A few extra details have been added to the reconstruction; the detail on the column capitals is now complete, and a Greek inscription has been added to the architrave on the eastern façade.
Remains of a Greek inscription were found in 1924 by Béquignon, Y. and Laumonier, A. on fragments that suggest there was a lengthy inscription on the eastern architrave. The complete inscription is unknown but we think a reasonable guess is that the inscription might have been an imperial dedication, dating from the time of the substantial restoration thought by archaeologists to have taken place under Hadrian. Our inscription is based on contemporary inscriptions, following a format that was standard for inscriptions of this type. It reads:
Ruler of the land and sea. Imperator Caesar. Of the deified Trajan, victor over the Parthians, son. Of the deified Nerva, grandson.
Trajanus Hadrianus Augustus. Archpriest. Invested with tribunician power for the fourteenth time. Consul for the third time. Father of the Fatherland. Restored [this temple].
We have also added statues to the pedestals flanking the eastern steps of the temple. It is not known who or what the statues that were likely here depicted. As placeholders we have chosen to use statues of Hebe, goddess of eternal youth or the prime of life, who served ambrosia to the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus. As with the statue of Dionysus inside the temple, we have depicted the statues of Hebe as they might have appeared painted, which was the common practice in antiquity.
AI Image Enhancement Project
We have also been researching and developing a method of processing our renders using AI image generation, in order to produce photorealistic imagery of our reconstructions and furthering our goal of creating vivid visualisations of ancient sites.
Implementation faces various challenges. Due to the somewhat esoteric visual nature of our work, and the requirement for a high level of fidelity and accuracy required in our project, this capability is difficult to implement, and limited to relatively simple images at this moment. With further development, we hope to eventually be able to achieve highly photorealistic results in all of our renders with the aid of generative image enhancement.
Main post about the Temple of Dionysus at Teos
New Render Gallery
AI-enhanced render
This render has been processed by generative AI for photorealism. It is accurate and faithful to the original image, only with extra detail added.
