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Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

The world of ancient Romans abounded in a number of amazing curiosities and information. The source of knowledge about the life of the Romans are mainly works left to us by ancient writers or discoveries. The Romans left behind a lot of strange information and facts that are sometimes hard to believe.

Farnesian Atlas

Roman sculpture that depicts the mythological Atlas holding the celestial vault on his shoulders. According to mythology, the titan Atlas was condemned for participating in a conspiracy against the power of Zeus. The “Farnesian Atlas” is a Roman marble copy of a Hellenistic original; dated to the 2nd century CE

Farnesian Atlas

Roman wall painting depicting pygmy feast

Roman wall painting depicting a feast of pygmies, a fight with a hippopotamus and sexual acts. The object is dated to the 1st century CE and was discovered in the Doctor’s House in Pompeii. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman wall painting depicting pygmy feast

Roman figurine of tragic actor

Roman statuette made of ivory depicting a tragic actor. The figure probably shows the actor in a tragic female role, in a mask, costume and wig. Object dated to the 1st century CE.

Roman figurine of tragic actor

Roman tombstone with image of small child’s head

Roman tombstone with the image of a small child’s head. On the stone there is an inscription: “Here lies Tiberius Natronius Venustus. He lived 4 years, 4 months, and 10 days”. The object was discovered in the ancient necropolis of Santa Rosa near the Vatican.

Roman tombstone with image of small child's head

Rhea Sylvia on Roman statue

Damaged Roman statue identified as Rhea Sylvia – the mythological mother of Romulus and Remus. The object is made of marble and dates back to the 1st century BCE. The artifact is on display in the Roman theater museum in Cartagena (southern Spain).

Rhea Sylvia on Roman statue

Roman fresco showing Nereid

Roman fresco showing the Nereid on the back of a sea creature. Nereids in ancient mythology were sea nymphs. The painting was discovered in Stabiae in Villa Arianna. Dated to the 1st century CE.

Roman fresco showing Nereid

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