Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

Roman mosaic from Villa Winterton in Lincolnshire (England) showing the mythical Orpheus playing the lyre. According to Greek myths, the singing and playing of Orpheus was so beautiful that it was able to calm the weather and animals. The object is dated to the middle of the 4th century CE.

Roman coin showing Mercury. The denarius is from 82 BCE and was struck by Gaius Mamilius Limetanus.

Roman mosaic showing Neptune in a chariot, accompanied by Triton and Nereids. In the corners and sides of the work, we can see figures and animals that symbolize specific seasons – and so olives and wild boar symbolize winter; roses and dog, spring; lion and grain, summer; leopard and grapes, autumn. The object was found in Chebba and dates back to the middle of the 3rd century CE.

Roman tile, with the imprint of a small child’s foot. A frequent find from Roman times are the remains of tiles from ancient houses. Probably the imprint was made on a clay tile still wet and drying in the sun.

Portrait of a mummified woman from Roman Egypt. The object was found in al-Fayyum (the so-called Fayum portrait) and shows a woman wearing beautiful jewellery. The artefact is dated to the 1st century CE; it is currently located at Royal Ontario Museum in Canada.

Bronze Roman handle (possibly a vessel) that was found at Cairnholy in southern Scotland. The object is partially decorated with silver; the head of Medusa and the deer are also visible. The object is dated to the 1st-2nd century CE.

Beautiful Roman glass amphora with scenes of Cupid picking grapes. Object found in Pompeii and dated to 1st century CE.

Roman gem showing a dancing Satyr with panther skin and a cane. Object found in Monquhitter, Scotland. It is made of sardonyx; dated to the 1st-3rd century CE.

Roman ring showing a thin and bearded man with a huge phallus killing a giant grasshopper. The relief was carved in a carnelian; it is dated around the 1st century BCE.