Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

Different types of Roman keys. The artifacts are in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman relief showing tropaion. The tropaion was a form of military monument, erected by the Greeks and Romans in honour of the victory in battle. It was usually a vertical pole in the shape of a tree with outstretched arms (in later times, two crossed sticks), to which captured militaria was attached. The trophy was next sacrificed to the deities for victory.

Roman statue showing Silenus. Silenus was one of Bacchus’ (Greek Dionysus) companions and his teacher; he was the god of nature. The object was part of a fountain and was located in the House of the Grand Duke in Pompeii. The sculpture is made of marble and dates back to 40 CE.

Plaster cast of the body of a person who died as a result of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE. The object is located in a glass box in the atrium of the so-called The Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii.

Roman statue showing a young deer. The object is made of bronze and was discovered in the Villa of the Papyrus in Herculaneum. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Image of an unknown Roman. The bust is dated to the reign of Emperor Trajan – 98-117 CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman decoration in the shape of a tiger’s face, which was located on the fountain. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Preserved wooden tablets from Pompeii, on which the auction of slaves from 56 CE was recorded, and which were confirmation of the transaction. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

The nearly 2,000-year-old leather bikini on display at the Museum of London is one of four found at the Queen Victoria Street excavation site in London in 1953. Like the modern bikini bottom, it has adjustable sides at the hips, and the garment is believed to have been used by gymnasts and acrobatic dancers. Roman bronze figurine from Rennes depicts an acrobat wearing similar underpants.

Bust of Faustina the Elder from around 138-141 CE. The object was placed in a contemporary alabaster bust. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.