Interesting Roman lamp in shape of greyhound head
Roman bronze lamp in the shape of a greyhound’s head holding a hare in its mouth. It is located in the British Museum.
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Curiosities of ancient Rome
The world of ancient Romans abounded in a number of amazing curiosities and information. The source of knowledge about the life of the Romans are mainly works left to us by ancient writers or discoveries. The Romans left behind a lot of strange information and facts that are sometimes hard to believe.
When Pantheon became church
On May 13, 609, Pope Boniface IV decided to transform the Pantheon into the Church of Santa Maria ad Martyres. Until now, the former temple of all Roman deities, since the fall of the Western Roman Empire, was largely unused. There is, however, a parable related to this event.
Early Christian lead sarcophagus from Viminacium
In August 2020, an early Christian lead sarcophagus was discovered in Viminacium (eastern Serbia), where a 3-year-old girl was buried. A silver plaque with an inscription in the form of a letter to god was found next to it.
Roman gold pendant
Roman gold pendant, dating to the 1st century CE.
Marble bust of Emperor Vespasian
Marble bust Emperor Vespasian (ruled 69-79 CE) from around 80 CE. The object is located in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples (Italy).
Roman brooch depicting seahorse
Roman enamel brooch depicting a seahorse.
Eagle at foot of emperor Claudius
A detail from a Roman sculpture showing an eagle staring at emperor Claudius (reigned 41-54 CE). The entire monument was intended to show the emperor as Jupiter – god of gods.
Trophy of Augustus
A few kilometres from the Principality of Monaco, at the top of a 486-meter-high hill, are the imposing remains of the monument. The monument called Trophy of Augustus (Tropaem Augusti or Tropaeum Alpium) was built around 6 BCE, in honour of the victories made in campaigns between 16 and 7 BCE by Emperor Augustus over the Alpine tribes.
Personification of October on Roman mosaic
The personification of October on the Roman mosaic. Object dated to the 3rd century CE; found in Hellin (southern Spain). Currently, it can be admired at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid.
Roman nobles grew moray eels in ponds
The Roman aristocracy had such exorbitant needs that it even built ponds (piscinae or vivaria piscorum) on its enormous property, in which various species of fish lived, including moray eels.
