Curiosities of ancient Rome

Roman altar dedicated to Eumoplus, slave of Nero. According to the inscription, Eumoplus was responsible for the equipment of Domus Aurea (the so-called suppellectile domus aureae).

A piece of a Roman amphora that was found in Colchester (England). There is a painted inscription “FAL LOLL” on the pottery, which suggests that the amphora was used to store Falernia wine, one of the most exclusive wines produced in Italy. The inscription also suggests that a man named Lollius was responsible for the wine trade, who transported the wine to Roman Britain.

Roman portrait of a man on a mummy from Egypt. Object dated to the 1st century CE and is currently in the Ipswich Museum (England). The painting belongs to the so-called groups of Fayum portraits.

Statue of Ulpia Marciana – the older sister of Emperor Trajan – who has a characteristic diadem-shaped hairstyle.

Roman mosaic showing the rivalry between a rooster and a turtle. The object comes from Aquileia in northern Italy. In the early Christian tradition, the fight of animals symbolized the clash between good and evil – the rooster portends daylight, and the turtle was considered a night animal.

Roman bronze bust showing a certain Caius Norbanus Sorex – a Roman actor. The object is dated to 25 BCE – 14 CE.

The ancient Romans had multi-purpose tools similar to today’s pocket knives of the Swiss army. Such a tool had: a knife, a spoon, a three-tooth fork, a pick and a spatula. Such a pocket knife was part of the Roman soldier’s equipment.

Roman figurine depicting a secutor gladiator who was well-armed and usually fought against a retiarius. The object is made of bronze and dates back to the 4th century CE.