Curiosities of ancient Rome

Roman brooch in the shape of a dog. Made of enamel and bronze. It is dated to the 2nd century CE.

A Roman bowl made with the millefiori technique, which consists in fusing mosaic glass rods into the glass. Thanks to this method, the glass had a multicolored color with a floral pattern. Object dated to the 1st century CE.

A beautiful Roman-colored wine jug with the image of the priest Bacchus – the god of wine and intoxication. The vessel was made using the blown glass method.

Over the years, archaeologists have found extremely interesting finds throughout the Mediterranean, including Sicily, southern Italy, northern Greece and Crete. We are talking about tablets with instructions for the dead, which were to help souls on their journey to the afterlife.

Pyxis made of bones with the image of a golden ivy leaf. Pyxis was a vessel with a lid used in Greek and Roman culture. Jewelry and toiletries were kept there.

The tomb of the Roman legionary Lucius Poblicius, built between 40 and 50 CE is one of the most impressive exhibits of the Römisch Germanisches Museum in Cologne. It is believed to be the best-preserved object of this type north of the Alps, and its rich decorations deserve attention: reliefs depicting the Roman god Pan and his priestesses, as well as floral motifs. In the upper part of the tomb, there is a sculpture of Polblicius himself wearing a toga – an attire that proves to belong to the higher social classes.

Roman fresco depicting the punishment of Amor by Venus. The object was found in Pompeii and is dated to 25 BCE. It is currently stored at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples (Italy).

Tombstone of a Roman goldsmith, one Publius Curtilius Agatho. The man was a freedman and died in the early 1st century CE. His names “Publius Curtilius” came from his former owner. His proper name/nickname (Agatho) in Greek means “good”.