Curiosities of ancient Rome

A marble bust of Faustina the Elder (Faustina Major) – the wife of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161 CE). The bust is in the Capitoline Museums in Rome. The Empress died in the early period of her husband’s rule – 140 CE.

Over thirty bakeries were excavated in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The picture shows the grain mills (catullus) operated by slaves that were found in the bakery (pistrinum) in Pompeii.

Roman wall painting showing the phoenix. The object dated to the 1st century CE; found in Pompeii. It is currently in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Portrait of a young woman painted on a wall in a bedroom (cubiculum). The object is located in the house – so-called Casa degli Amorini dorati, VI, 16, 7) in Pompeii. Painted in the 1st century CE.

Wall fresco showing a resting dog. This detail is part of a larger composition presenting Endymion and the goddess Selena, located on the wall of triclinium – the dining room at home Casa dell’Ara massima, VI, 16, 15, in Pompeii. The painting is dated to the 1st century CE.

Detail of a Roman mosaic depicting an armored warrior battling an Amazon. Object located in Antakya (Turkey). Dated back to 4th century CE.

Detail of the wall decoration in the atrium depicting a large villa. Located in House of Menander (Casa del Menandro, I, 10, 4), Pompeii.

Tepidarium of the men’s baths (built I century BCE) in Forum Baths. Located in Pompeii.

Detail from the wall decoration on the left-hand side of the atrium, depicting a dog chasing a stag. Painting in 3rd Pompeian style.