Curiosities of ancient Rome

Roman mosaic showing Hercules in a crown of laurel leaves. The hero lies naked on the skin of a Nemean lion. He holds kantharos (a kind of Greek drinking vessel) in his hand and his club lies beside it. The object is made of glass, marble and calcite. Artifact dated to the 3rd-4th century CE.

A wonderful Roman necklace made of gold and carnelian. Object dated to the 2nd century CE.

Roman fresco with cubiculum (bedroom) in the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii. The fresco is an example of the so-called Pompeian Second style.

Roman fresco showing a glass vessel with pomegranates and apples. The object is from Villa Poppaea in Oplontis, at Pompeii.

Remains of a Roman road in ancient Tarsus (Turkey). The road was discovered by accident in 1993, during construction works.

Roman marble bust of a young man. Scientists suspect that it is a funeral portrait, intended to show the deceased in a heroic and dignified manner. The marble from which the object was made, was obtained near Aphrodisias, in ancient Caria (present-day Western Turkey).

Roman fresco depicting the mythological struggle of Theseus with the Minotaur in the labyrinth. The object was created at the end of the 3rd century CE.

Roman mosaic showing an offering by a couple in a villa on the coast. Object dated to the 4th century CE; found in Ostia. Currently, the artifact can be admired in the Toledo Art Museum (USA).

A missile from a Roman ballista, found at Leckie Broch (central Scotland). A crack in the stone is clearly visible, which scientists interpret as the result of a sudden change in temperature. Perhaps the stone was heated for the purpose of the attack, and the defending Picts tried to cool it with cold water.