Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

Roman fresco showing the island of the Laestrygonian giants-cannibals when Odysseus arrives. Interestingly, the Greeks identified this mythical place with either Sicily or Formia in Latium. The object was discovered in a domus on what is now the Roman road Via Cavour; now in the Vatican Museums in Rome. Dated to the 1st century BCE.

Greco-Roman “voodoo doll” pierced with 13 needles. Found in Egypt, it dates back to the 2nd century CE. It was in a vase along with a lead tablet with a spell on it.

Roman small glass vessels in the shape of birds – known as unguentarium. They were used to store perfumes and oils. In order to pour out the contents, the “tail” was broken off. Object dated to the 1st century CE; it is now in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.

Only half of the head of the bust of Julius Caesar has survived to our times. Bust from around 50 CE, which was discovered on the site of the temple of Athena Polias in Priene.

Roman mosaic in the villa of La Olmeda in the province of Palencia, Spain. In Greek and Roman culture, a single swastika was extremely rare. She is more often seen in groups. This sign was used throughout the Empire, whether clockwise or counterclockwise, on the mosaics decorating the walls and floors.

Base of a Roman bowl with two figures painted on it. Object dated to the 3rd-4th century CE; the artifact is on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Emperor Augustus wore a signet ring with his own likeness on his finger. His successors continued the tradition, wearing it on their fingers as a memento of the great ruler. The exception was Galba, who wore a signet ring on his finger showing a dog peeking out from the bow of a ship. This emperor changed the custom because he had an extremely devoted dog.

Great bathtub of Emperor Nero, made of porphyry. The object was originally located in Nero’s palace (Domus Aurea); it is now in the Vatican museums in Rome.

Romans also knew how to save. Proof of this is a Roman piggy bank found in Viminacium, a Roman city and fort in Moesia (present-day Serbia).

Roman portrait of Alexander Severus, also known as Alexianus Bassianus, who was the last emperor of the Severan line. On the throne of Rome, he succeeded his cousin Elagabalus, who died as a result of a conspiracy. The reign of Alexander Severus marks a new period in the history of Rome – a crisis of the third century – almost 50 years of civil wars, invasions and economic collapse. He was murdered by his own rebel soldiers in 235 CE.