Today was a great day! It’s not every day you run into a famous mosaic such as this beauty. This is the ‘know yourself’ mosaic which is on display at the Baths of Diocletian. Such a happy find ☺️
This disc is thought to be a sacrificial or votive offering. It is about the size of a discus but the impressive etched dolphin suggests a purpose that may have been beyond sport.
Well, my Roman summer has begun! It’s HOT and posts for the next few weeks are likely to be snaps of me with whatever ancient things I stumble across - you have all been warned 😅
This delicate piece depicts Phoebe seeking to reassure Latona and Niobe; meanwhile Niobe’s daughters Hilearia and Agle play knucklebones, unaware of their imminent death…
This piece was painted on marble and each figure provided with a name in ancient Greek. It is also signed by the artist who lists themselves as Alexander of Athens.
Image slightly enhanced to bring out the contrast.
A highlights reel of the decade that was the 420s BCE. Great for a swift overview of the challenges (and triumphs) as Rome tries to figure out how to run a republic.
While our deep dive ‘From the Founding of the City’ series is unscripted, the Partial Recap is a scripted short and snappy summary - excellent for jogging the memory!
Listen in via our website or wherever you enjoy your podcasts ☺️
The so-called ‘Tellus’ relief from the Ara Pacis is my all time favourite relief. The details are mesmerising with so much layered symbolism built in from the infant twins to the vegetation.
The Augustan style often calls for abundance to be on full show and this relief captures that idea in spades.
A skilful and jaw-dropping relief not to be missed!
This magnificent helmet depicts winged youths grasping intertwined snakes. Other animals include panthers and lions. The helmet bears two inscriptions: a reference to Neopolis and “Synenitos, the son of Euklotas, took this object”.
A youth holds a snake in their left hand and reaches towards another with their right. It’s not clear whether the snake to the right is biting the youth or the youth is holding the snake by the jaw…