Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

Roman mosaic showing the philosophers at the Plato Academy of Athens listening to a lecture by Plato, sitting in the center, pointing at the globe with a stick. Behind the men is a sundial. The object adorned the villa of Titus Siminius Stephanus in Pompeii and dates back to the 1st BCE – 1st century CE.

A plate made of bronze, which served as confirmation of the demobilization of a Roman soldier of auxilia and granting him, in exchange for faithful service, Roman citizenship. The property is located in the Colchester Museum in the East of England.

Roman bust of Marcus Antonius Gordianus, known as Emperor Gordian III. The object was found in Tunisia; now it is in the Louvre in Paris (France). He ruled in the years 238 – 244 CE.

Roman fresco from Ostia showing food products. The painting adorned the wall of a street bar (thermopolium) and could either advertise an offer or serve as a decoration.

Roman tombstone inscribed in Greek. The object was found in Brough, Northern England. The deceased 16-year-old young man was named Hermes from Commagene in Syria; probably associated with the Roman army. The inscription asks passersby to remember the deceased and speak loudly at his grave.

Roman mosaic depicting a garden scene; found in Baiae (southern Italy). The mosaic shows a peacock and other birds against the backdrop of lush and leafy plants. The object was located in a wall niche in the garden or in the courtyard and was probably made in the 1st century CE.

Beautiful portrait of a woman from the 2nd century CE from Roman Egypt. The painting was made on wood and placed on an Egyptian mummy.

Stone used in the construction of the Roman fort at Cramond in North West Scotland. There is an abbreviated inscription on the stone: “It was built by the 2nd legion of Augusta, from the century of S…A”. The aforementioned legion operated at the wall of Hadrian and the wall of Antoninus.

Beautiful Roman mosaic depicting a mythological scene – the wedding of Pelops and Hippodameia. Photos, the god of desire, shows the couple entering the bedroom, suggesting an act of love. The names were written in Greek. The object is dated to the end of the 3rd century CE.

Relief on a Roman sarcophagus of argentarius at the counter. The object is located in the Palazzo Massimo – Museo Nazionale Romano in Rome.