Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)
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Herm of Mercury
Roman sculpture showing Mercury (Greek equivalent – Hermes), the so-called herma. Herms were born in Greece, where they traditionally depicted the very popular god Hermes (hence their name). Apart from the upper part, Hermes also had a carved phallus placed ... Read more
Roman head of Hercules
Roman head of Hercules. The marble object is probably dated to the 2nd century CE and was discovered in Rome. According to researchers, the damage on the right side of the face indicates that the sculpture depicted a hero with ... Read more
Ancient sales receipt
Preserved Roman tablet confirming that a “full-grown North African girl in the best condition” was sold to the sailor Titus Memmius Montanus for 625 denarii, about two and a half times the basic annual salary of a marine.
Scene from Trajan’s column showing testudo formation
Scene from Trajan’s Column showing the testudo (“turtle”) formation during battle. The object is located in the National Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest.
Wooden toy sword
An uncovered sword made of wood, which was probably the toy of a young Roman who pretended to be a legionary. The object dates back to the 1st-4th century CE; discovered in London (England). The artifact is in the British ... Read more
Marble sculpture showing sitting large dog
Marble sculpture showing a sitting large dog, the so-called molossus. It is a Roman copy of an original made of bronze in Greece. Dogs of this breed were mainly defensive and guarding, but they were also used in amphitheater arenas ... Read more
Roman marble relief showing captured weapons
Roman marble relief showing captured weapons: armor, shields, swords, battle axe, quiver of arrows, ram’s head. The object dates back to the 1st-2nd century CE. The artifact is in the British Museum and was discovered in Rome.
Roman tombstone showing Marcus Favonius Facilis
Roman tombstone showing Marcus Favonius Facilis of the 20th Legion. The stone used to create the tombstone was imported from France, and the man’s memorial site was commissioned by Mark’s freed slaves. Marcus Favonius Facilis was a young centurion and ... Read more
Roman tombstone showing standard-bearer Genialis Clusiodi
Roman tombstone showing the standard-bearer Genialis Clusiodi, who acted as an imaginifer. His task was to carry a banner with an image of the emperor – probably Claudius or Nero. The man holds a scroll in his other hand. The ... Read more
Roman tombstone of certain Terentianus
Roman tombstone of a certain Terentianus, a soldier who lived in the 1st century CE. The object was discovered in Mainz-Weisenau in western Germany. The artifact is on display at the Landesmuseum Mainz. As we can see in the stone ... Read more
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