Welcome to the Savannah Sideways Podcast - Season One - The Strange Story of Savannah's Ancient Roman Statuary. EPISODE 6 – Breaking Down the Myths In this sixth episode, host Jessica Leigh Lebos digs deeper into the fascinating world of ancient art and modern mythmaking. Joined once again by Dr. Mark Abbe, University of Georgia professor and global expert in antiquities and art restoration, Jessica unpacks how America’s Gilded Age fascination with marble and grandeur shaped our collective imagination — and, in some ways, distorted history. From the lavish collections of tycoons like J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, and Isabella Stewart Gardner, to the stately Southern estates that mirrored their northern counterparts, we explore how art collecting became both a symbol of sophistication and a tool for shaping America’s cultural identity. These early art patrons saw themselves not just as collectors, but as civilizers, building museums, libraries, and institutions meant to uplift the public — even as their wealth and privilege drew scrutiny. Dr. Abbe also sheds light on one of art history’s biggest misconceptions: the myth of the “pure white” marble statue. Through groundbreaking scientific research, he reveals that the sculpted figures of ancient Greece and Rome were once vividly painted in lifelike colors — red lips, golden hair, and skin tones in every shade. This revelation challenges centuries of Western ideals about beauty, culture, and race, and exposes how a simple misunderstanding became an aesthetic standard with deep social implications. As Jessica connects Savannah’s own Roman relics to this broader narrative, she invites listeners to reconsider what authenticity really means — in art, in history, and in how we tell our stories. Were the Greenwich statues truly ancient, or clever reconstructions? And what truths lie hidden beneath their white marble sheen? This episode reminds us that history isn’t static marble — it’s painted in color, layered with meaning, and alive with questions. SHOW LINKS: Meet Jessica Leigh Lebos Check out Savannah Sideways Substack Check out Jessica's books Meet the Producers: Dee Daniels Media THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THIS SHOW POSSIBLE: Dr. Erika Morrow and the team at ForSight Unique Eye Care & Eye Wear Bubba Gumbo's Tybee Island Tybee Island Marina BG’s Seafood Co-Op Bonaventure Don The 5 Spot Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum Shot By Somi SIXBY Lone Wolf Lounge Over Yonder Celebritees   FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to Savannah's Ancient Roman Statuary 00:57 The Rise of American Art Collecting 04:34 Gilded Age Philanthropy and Art 08:35 Carnegie Libraries in Savannah 11:37 The Mystery of the Greenwich Statues 19:09 The Truth About Ancient Roman Statuary 24:35 Conclusion and Teasers for Next Episode