Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

An ancient column that is part of a tomb from the 3rd century BCE. On the stone is the inscription “Achilleus, son of Prothymus, be happy even in the underworld”.

An unusual Roman mosaic showing the plan of the building (or rather its fragments in two pieces), probably public or private baths. The mosaic probably dates from the middle of the 3rd century CE.

Roman fresco depicting Jason entering the city of Iolkos in Greece, where he will start his quest for the golden fleece with the Argonauts. The object is located in Casa degli Amorini Dorati in Pompeii.

Remarkable Roman fresco depicting Hercules, Deianeira and the centaur Nessos. The painting was discovered this year in the so-called House of Centaur (VI.9.5) in Pompeii.

Roman mosaic showing a comedy scene in which a consultation with a witch takes place. Item found at Cicero’s House in Pompeii. It is now housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

An ancient tombstone of a gladiator named Quinto Sossio Albo. The man was born in Aquileia and fought in the arena as a murmillo. The man was depicted on a stone with a full three-part name and not just a nickname, proving that he was an auctoratus, a free person who voluntarily agreed to fight in the arena in exchange for fame and money.

Roman coin (sestertius) showing Emperor Hadrian on the obverse. The coin was intended to emphasize the ruler’s actions to strengthen the border in Germania, and was minted in Rome at the end of his reign (117-138 CE).

The basic social and legal division in Rome was between free citizens and slaves-the basic element of legal capacity was therefore freedom. This is one of the darkest pages in the history of the Roman Empire.

Roman golden ring that belonged to a child. The object was found in Aalen (southern Germany). The inscription CRESCAS is engraved on the ring, which translates as “May you grow” – probably the ring was given to the child by his parents.

Fragment of the Roman floor mosaic showing Emperor Hadrian (ruled 117-138 CE). It adorns the Venus bath in Baiae (southern Italy).