Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

Roman mosaic showing a tiger/lion with a bizarre appearance. This detail is part of a larger composition that shows little Bacchus, the god of wine and fun, sitting on a tiger and drinking wine. Object was found in the House of the Faun in Pompeii. Currently in the collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

A bust of Agrippa Postumus, which is believed to be in the Louvre and was created around 4 CE. Agrippa (12 BCE – 14 CE) was born Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa Postumus and was the son of Marcus Agrippa – the famous commander of Octavian Augustus – and Julia, daughter of the emperor.

Blackbird on a Roman fresco from Pompeii. The blackbird is a bird in the Turdidae family that often eats soft fruit. It was certainly well known among Roman vineyard workers.

A high-quality Roman bronze vessel. Dated to the 1st century CE.

Roman mosaic showing Aeneas and Dido found at Low Ham Roman Villa in Somerset (south-wester England). Currently, the object is in the Museum of Somerset.

Roman glass perfume bottle. Object dated to the 1st century CE.

Reconstruction of a fragment of a Roman relief showing a sandal (caliga) with a sock rolled up. It is located in the Vatican Museums. It is the proposed colour reconstruction from the book “Die Prätorianer – Folterknechte oder Elitetruppe”.

Fragment of a Roman glass cup with a scene of a love act. Dated to the middle of the 1st century CE.

Roman glass vessel in the shape of a fish. Object dated to the 3rd-4th century CE.

A gold medallion depicting Emperor Valens, which was made around the years 364 to 368 CE. The emperor was depicted in a toga, on a horse, with a halo over his head. The inscription on the artefact reads Gloria Romanorum, meaning “Glory of the Romans”. The emperor died in the battle of Adrianople on August 9, 378 CE.