Curiosities of ancient Rome (Artifact)

Roman fresco showing Diana, the goddess of hunting, animals and forests. Facility dated half of the first century BCE; discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is located at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples..

Peristyl of the House of Menander in Pompeii is an impressive atrium surrounded by a colonnade, which belonged to one of the richest houses in the city. An interesting fact is that during excavations, over 100 silver vessels hidden in a wooden chest were discovered there – probably the owners tried to protect them against the disaster caused by the outbreak of Vesuvius in 79 CE. The house owes its name to the fresco depicting the Greek playwright Menander, although it is not known if he really had any connection with the owners of the residence.

Pair of finely detailed bronze Murmillo Gladiator brooches. The figurines are 5 cm high and show such details as the characteristic murmillo helmet, gladius, scutum and manica (shoulder).

Helmet of a Roman legionary who was discovered in Dacia (current Romania). The building was discovered in 1968 at the Roman camp of legion IV Flavia Felix . The helmet has the cheek covers, a protective roof and neck cover. The artifact is located at the Adamclisi Museum (southeast Romania). Dated to the early second century CE.

Roman terracotta olive olive lamp in the shape of a gladiator helmet. The object is over 1900 years old and was discovered in the tomb at Via Appia, outside Rome.

Fayum mummy portrait of young woman, discovered in Egypt, shown with a crescent -shaped pendant – such artifact was given to girls to protect them from evil spirits.

Roman sculpture showing Aesculap, the god of medicine. object dated to the second century CE. Discovered in Formiae in the campaign (Italy). The artifact is located in NY Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).

Roman sculpture probably showing Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a Roman dictator from the first century BCE. The object dated to the first century BCE. The artifact is located in NY Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).

In September 2023, in the ancient city of Syedra (southern Türkiye), a statue of the goddess Nike (Goddess of Victory) consisting of 35-40 fragments was discovered under a certain tomb. The statue is 83 cm high and dates back to the 2nd century CE.

Ancient tombstone of Lucius Aelius Melitinos, the youngest son of Myron and Felicula. The baby’s name – Melitinos – means “sweet as honey” in Greek.