Curiosities of ancient Rome

Sculpture of the Greek philosopher Metrodoros, a student of Epicurus. The object is dated to the 1st century CE and is a copy of the Greek original. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

In ancient Rome, the roads were often strewn with white stones (the so-called “cat’s eyes”), which reflected the moonlight and thus acted as modern street lamps or road reflectors, helping people to walk/ride after dark. The photo shows the Roman road in Pompeii.

Young man with a vessel on a Roman fresco. Object dated to the 1st century CE; discovered in Ariadne’s villa in Stabiae. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman fresco showing a flying young man with a palm leaf and a crown in his hand. Object discovered in Stabiae in Ariadne’s villa; dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman bottles for perfumes or oils in the shape of sandals. The objects are made of glass and date back to the 2nd-3rd century CE. The artifacts are in the Römisch-Germanisches Museum Köln (Germany).

Ancient bust of Hercules. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman clay figurines showing men with large phalluses. The artifacts are in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Fayum portrait showing a bearded man. Object dated to the mid-2nd century CE; discovered in Fayum (Egypt) Currently the artifact is in the Myers Collection, Eton College, Windsor (England).