Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

A marble round Roman table that was found in Pompeii. The object was discovered in the so-called House of Epigrams and is dated to the 1st century CE.

Preserved Roman coins from Herculaneum, which are made of silver and bronze. The object is on display in Herculaneum. The coins probably merged as a result of the high temperature of the pyroclastic flow.

Roman oil lamp from c. 75-125 CE in the shape of a comic mask showing a slave with a wicked and mocking expression on his face. The Roman sense of humour was based on mockery and used bawdy and rude phrases in-jokes.

Roman mosaic of a dog on a leash; discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and dates back to the 1st century CE. Before entering the house, the Romans often placed signs with the inscription Cave Canem (“Beware of the dog”) or mosaics with the image of a dog; in this way, attempts were made to discourage robbers from sneaking into the house.

Roman marble sculpture showing the philosopher Socrates. The object is dated to the mid-1st century CE and is a copy of a Greek original from the 4th century BCE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman fresco showing Dionysus (Bacchus) and Maenad (Bacchae), the companion of the god of wine. Also visible in the scene is a young Satyr and Silenus with a zither. Wine is poured from a vessel (rython) which is licked off by the panther. Object dated to the mid-1st century CE; discovered in Pompeii. The artefact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman tombstone of a gladiator named Lupercus, which was financed by his wife Theodora. The man was a gladiator of type thraex, as evidenced by his visualization.

Marble bust of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus (17 BCE – 40 CE), Roman general and consul from 32 CE. He was the grandson of Mark Antony, the husband of Agrippina the Younger and the father of the future emperor Nero.

Roman ceramic drinking cups in the shape of masks with phalluses inside. The objects are on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

A fragment of a stone on which a wild boar hunting scene was engraved. The object was found in Chesters Fort, which was part of Hadrian’s Wall. It is possible that the drawing was created by a Roman soldier.