Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

An interesting find from Pompeii buried by volcanic ash. In the photo, is a cast of a dog that was found in Pompeii. The animal tried to break free from the chain in the face of danger. in vain. Dated to the 1st century CE.

Roman relief showing a plowing scene. Researchers believe that the scene may also be part of a larger composition showing the moment of sacrifice. The object is dated to the 3rd century CE; is in the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University (Atlanta, USA).

Relief on the funerary monument of a certain Marcus Ulpius Amerimnus and Scribonia Attica. The couple lived in the 2nd century CE and their tomb is in Ostia, near Rome.

The largest known worked blocks of stone were found near Baalbek (in Lebanon). It is about the so-called trilitons, i.e. three boulders from the vicinity of the sanctuary from the period of Roman rule in this area. They were supposed to weigh 800 tons each, although it is estimated that the largest weighed over 1,000 tons. They formed the basis for the Temple of Jupiter (the Great Temple), which was completed in the 1st century CE.

The skeleton of a woman was discovered in a marble sarcophagus, which dates back to the 3rd century CE. Interestingly, the hair and eyebrows of a woman who probably died at the age of 50-60 are still preserved. The discovery took place in 1962 in Roman Thessalonica, and the woman came from a high social class. The object is on display at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.

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.