Roman fresco showing half-naked woman
Roman fresco showing a half-naked woman. Object discovered in the 1st century CE, in Pompeii. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
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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.
Vegetable seller from Ostia
Relief showing a vegetable seller (including cabbage, garlic and asparagus) from Ostia. Roman relief dates back to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is in the Archaeological Museum in Ostia (Italy).
Rhineland hides real Roman treasures
Further interesting discoveries are being made in the Rhineland (western Germany), which is rich in brown coal. In ancient times, the borders of the Roman Empire reached here. Roman cities included: Cologne, Aachen, Bonn and Jülich.
Minotaur, “Ariadne’s thread” and Labyrinth – what can we learn today from ancient myths?
Pompeian fresco depicting Theseus after killing the Minotaur. The fresco is not large. In the past, it was the central panel of a larger painting. It was like a painting hung in the middle of the wall and the attention of the person entering the room was supposed to focus on it.
Mars and Nike on Roman gemma
Mars, god of war, and Nike, goddess of victory, on a Roman gemma. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Roman sculpture depicting Seleucus I Nicator
Roman sculpture showing Seleucus I Nicator, one of the leaders (so-called diadochi) of Alexander the Great, who, after he died due to the ongoing war to divide the Empire, took over most of the lands and established the Seleucid monarchy. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Roman floor mosaic showing hunting tiger
Roman floor mosaic showing a hunting tiger. The object dates back to the 3rd century CE; discovered in a villa from Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel.
Roman fresco showing Dionysian scene
Roman fresco showing a Dionysian scene. The painting shows the dancing Maenad, the companion of Bacchus (Dionysus), near a statue of Priapus, a leopard and a satyr. The object was discovered in Casa dei Capitelli in Pompeii. Dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Divine face from a horror movie
Look at that face… Disturbing, isn’t it? If it weren’t for the fact that it is an exhibit from the Vatican Museums, it could be considered a mask from some horror movie.
Preserved skull of Germanic warrior from Suebi tribe
Preserved skull of a Germanic warrior from the Suebi tribe, which dates back to around 100 CE. The head was discovered in Osterby, northern Germany – due to the location of the find, scientists call it “Osterby Man”.
