Go to Index, Part I, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Part XII, Part XIII, Part XIV, Part XV, Roman Coins: Republic and Principate, Roman Coins: Empire, Greek Coins, Coins from the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, Coins from the National Museum in Warsaw, Poland, Coins from the Hunterian Museum
model of auxiliary
fort
Newcastle, Newcastle Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: army; military
reconstructed walls of
legionary fort
Xanten, Archaeological Park. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1988
Keywords: army; military
model of a
military chariot modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army; military
model of legionary
headquarters
Chester, Chester Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1986
Keywords: army; military
statue of Praetorian
guardsman--model
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military; Praetorian Guard; armor
replica of Roman soldier's
hobnailed boots (caligae)
Aalen, Limesmuseum. Credits: Paula Chabot,
1988
Keywords: army; military; armor
bronze parade helmet
Munich, Praehistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; armor
drawing of a
legionary soldier from the third century CE, with spear (rather than javelin),
wide sword belt on the left, and bracae (leg coverings) modern
Mainz,
Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military;
armor
drawing of a
legionary soldier from the early imperial period, with javelin, sword belt on
the right, and lorica segmentata modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; armor
drawing of a
legionary soldier on the march, carrying his weapons and other gear
modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords:
army; military; armor
drawing of a
legionary soldier in parade costume modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; armor
silvered tin and bronze
shield boss (placed in center of shield over hand grip) belonging to Junius
Dubilatus from Legio VIII second century CE
Mainz, Landesmuseum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; armor
relief from Trajan's
column- -military trophy (cast) c. 108-113 CE
EUR (Rome), Museum of
Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army;
military; armor
drawing of the cornicen,
who played the curved horn (cornu) used to convey military commands
modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords:
army; military; armor; horns
replica of a legionary
helmet, modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military; armor; legionary
replica of a legionary
helmet, modern
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: army; military; armor; legionary
relief from Trajan's
column--legionaries; shows armor (cast) c. 108-113 CE
EUR (Rome),
Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords:
army; military; armor; legionary
statue of legionary of
first century CE (based on Trajan's column) modern
EUR (Rome), Museum
of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army;
military; armor; legionary
reconstructed legionary
belt with ancient scabbard for dagger and metal fittings
Bad Deutsch
Altenberg, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1992
Keywords: army; military;
armor; legionary
statue of Julius as
general (cast)
larger version;
side view;
detail of head
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982,
2003
Keywords: army; military; armor; officers; Julius Caesar
tombstone of M. Caelius,
centurion of LegioXIIX, who died at age 53 (set up as a cenotaph by his brother
since body was not found)
Bonn, Rheinisches Landesmuseum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; armor; officers; funerary
replica of Roman
catapult modern
Saalburg, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; artillery
replica of a small Roman
catapult modern
Madrid, Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1985
Keywords: army; military; artillery
replica of a large Roman
catapult modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military; artillery
models of Roman siege
equipment--siege tower, battering ram, catapulta, onager modern
Aalen,
Limesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military;
artillery
facsimile of bronze
military diploma showing Latin text (color added) 98 CE
Credits: James
Egbert, Introduction to the Study of Latin Inscriptions, p. 357,
1896
Keywords: army; military; auxiliary
bronze diploma (military
"discharge papers" for auxiliary soldiers) from era of Vespasian first
century CE
Budapest, National Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1992
Keywords: army; military; auxiliary
bronze diploma
dated July 17, 122 CE
granting citizenship to an auxiliary named Gemellus
serving in Britain after 25 years of military service
close-up of text
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2002
Keywords: army;
military; auxiliary
lead curse tablet;
Roman, first-third century CE, said to be from Phrygia
view of both "pages";
detail of writing.
This lead tablet, naming more than 12 people, was hinged and fastened; it was found in a pot with
bones; the curse is scratched in lead with the words written backwards to give it
more power.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1999; 2006
Keywords: magic; funerary
drawing of
auxiliary cavalrymen and horse modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; auxiliary; armor
bronze cavalry parade
mask (from Eining) third century CE
Munich, Praehistorisches Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; auxiliary; armor
drawing of auxiliary
cavalryman and horse in parade dress modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; auxiliary; armor
bronze horse armor with
eye protector (from Eining), depicting Hercules c. 233 CE
Munich,
Praehistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army;
military; auxiliary; armor; myth
ornamented bronze
parade helmet of auxiliary cavalryman 1st-2nd century CE
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: army; military;
auxiliary; cavalry; armor
tombstone of an
auxiliary cavalryman
Ribchester, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1986
Keywords: army; military; auxiliary; cavalry; funerary
tombstone of an
auxiliary cavalryman, Longinus
Colchester, Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1986
Keywords: army; military; auxiliary; cavalry; funerary
tombstone of
cavalryman M. Aemilius Durises (served 16 yrs, died at age 38) c. 80 CE
Bonn, Rheinisches Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords:
army; military; auxiliary; funerary
relief from
Trajan's column--women and children captives brought before emperor (cast)
c. 108-113 CE
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1979
Keywords: army; military; barbarians
relief from
Trajan's column--Dacian prisoner brought before emperor (cast) c. 108-113
CE
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1979
Keywords: army; military; barbarians
relief from Trajan's
column-- legionaries at wall besieged by Dacians (cast) c. 108-113 CE
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army; military; barbarians; siege; legionary
model of Roman
soldiers quarrying stone for a construction project modern
Cologne,
Romisch-Germanisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army;
military; building
model of auxiliary
fort (with Asteryx figurines added) modern
Aalen, Limesmuseum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; camp
reconstructed barracks
blocks for two centuries modern
smaller version.
Saalburg, reconstructed auxiliary fort.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; camp; fort
reconstructed fortification
marking boundary of Roman empire in Germany (limes) showing wooden stockade and
ditch modern
Saalburg, reconstructed auxiliary fort. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; camp; fort
reconstructed gate
(Porta Praetoria) of auxiliary fort constructed under Antoninus Pius (with
duplicate statue of the emperor) modern
Saalburg, reconstructed
auxiliary fort. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military;
camp; fort
diagram of the typical
organization of a Roman legion modern
Chester, Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1986
Keywords: army; military; legion
distance slab from
Antonine wall (plaster cast)--vexillation of Legio XX Victoria Victrix built
3000 feet of the wall modern
Chester, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1986
Keywords: army; military; legion
drawing of Roman
soldiers building London bridge modern
London, Museum of London.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: army; military; legion
model of legionary
soldiers building Hadrian's wall modern
Housesteads, Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: army; military; legion
model of one legionary
century in fighting formation (using toy soldiers)--headed by centurion,
signifer, cornicen modern
Aalen, Limesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1988
Keywords: army; military; legion; battle
model of one legionary
cohort in fighting formation (using toy soldiers)--shows 6 centuries deployed
three abreast modern
Aalen, Limesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1988
Keywords: army; military; legion; battle
foundations of barracks
for one legionary century
Caerleon, legionary fortress. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: army; military; legion; camp
foundations of barracks
for one legionary tent groups--one room for gear and one for eight men to
sleep
Caerleon, legionary fortress. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: army; military; legion; camp
relief from
Trajan's column--soldiers tending the wounded (cast) c. 108-113 CE
EUR
(Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army; military; legionary
relief from Trajan's
column- -soldiers in tortoise formation (cast) c. 108-113 CE
EUR
(Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army; military; legionary; turtle; siege
silver medallions
(phalerae) worn by officers as military decorations for valor
Mainz,
Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military;
officers
drawing of Julius
Caesar with general's cloak modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; officers; armor
drawing of
centurion showing vinewood staff, helmet with transverse crest, greaves, and
phalerae modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; officers; armor
drawing of a general
modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords:
army; military; officers; armor
model of Julius
Caesar's siege of Avaricum modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman
Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military;
siege; Julius Caesar
statue of standard bearer
who carried the legionary eagle modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman
Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military;
standards
relief from
Trajan's column--military parade (modern cast) c. 108-113 CE
The procession crosses a bridge. In front are the horn players (cornicines) with their curved horns, followed by standard bearers (signiferi) from the Praetorian Guard, distinctive because of their lion-skin headdresses
and the emperor's portraits on their standards. Behind them march
soldiers carrying their gear
tied to poles on their shoulders.
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: army; military; standards
relief from
Trajan's column--parade of standardbearers (cast) c. 108-113 CE
EUR
(Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army; military; standards
replicas of Roman
standards with eagles modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military; standards
replica of Roman
standard with winged horse modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman
Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military;
standards
replicas of Roman
standards with pigs modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military; standards
replicas of
standards, javelins (pila) and flag (vexillum) modern
Mainz,
Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military;
standards
relief of standards
with eagle and with flag (cast)
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman
Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military;
standards
relief of
standards with eagle and with hands (cast)
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman
Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: army; military;
standards
relief from Trajan's
column--emperor addressing troops (cast) c. 108-113 CE
EUR (Rome),
Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords:
army; military; standards
drawing of eagle
standardbearer (aquilifer) with lionskin headdress modern
Mainz,
Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military;
standards; armor; officers
model of a triumphal
procession--priests and sacrificial animals modern
EUR (Rome), Museum
of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army;
military; triumph
model of a triumphal
procession--spoils modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army; military; triumph
model of a triumphal
procession--captives modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army; military; triumph
model of a triumphal
procession--senators and general modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman
Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: army; military;
triumph
large cameo depicting
an allegorical triumph (chariot pulled by eagles; emperor crowned by Roma),
probably Hadrian second century CE
Berlin, Antiken Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1992
Keywords: army; military; triumph; Hadrian
terracotta honey-cake
mold depicting the triumph of Marcus Aurelius second century CE
Acquincum, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1992
Keywords: army; military;
triumph; dining
bronze statuette depicting
a military trophy 1st-2nd century CE
Munich, Praehistorisches Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: army; military; trophy
ancient legionary javelin
(pilum) showing how shaft bent on impact first century CE
Budapest,
National Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1992
Keywords: army; military;
weapons; legionary
British school
children visit a reconstructed Roman fort dressed as Roman legionaries
The Lunt (reconstructed fort). Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords:
army
triumphal plaque
depicting barbarian captive chained to trophy (probably refers to conquest of
Thrace under Claudius) first century CE
Fiesole, Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1990
Keywords: barbarians; army; military; trophy
hypocaust with
skeleton of dog found killed by fumes
Schwarzenacker, Open Air Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: baths; hypocaust; construction
drawing of
hypocaust construction modern
Wroxeter, Wroxeter Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: baths; hypocaust; construction
small latrine with mosaic
floor in bath complex of private villa fourth century CE
Piazza
Armerina, Villa del Casale. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: baths;
latrines
small latrine with
mosaic floor (with sponge sticks added via Photoshop) modern
Credits:
Barbara McManus,
Keywords: baths; latrines
cutaway model of
bath--furnace and caldarium modern
Saalburg, Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1988
Keywords: baths; leisure
cutaway model of
bath--tepidarium and frigidarium modern
Saalburg, Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: baths; leisure
cutaway model of
bath--whole building modern
Saalburg, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1988
Keywords: baths; leisure
cutaway model of
bath--dressing room modern
Saalburg, Museum. Credits: Paula Chabot,
1988
Keywords: baths; leisure
baths--cold plunge in
frigidarium (cold room) first century CE
Pompeii, Forum Baths. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: baths; leisure
baths--caldarium (hot
room) with labrum (cooling fountain) first century CE
Pompeii, Forum
Baths. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: baths; leisure
baths--detail of
labrum with inscription first century CE
Pompeii, Forum Baths. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: baths; leisure
latrine with marble seats
showing construction of channels
Ephesus. Credits: Paula Chabot,
1989
Keywords: baths; leisure
baths--women's dressing
room with small cold plunge first century CE
Pompeii, Stabian Baths.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: baths; leisure
baths--detail of
graffito of ship in women's dressing room first century CE
Pompeii,
Stabian Baths. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: baths; leisure
baths--stucco decoration
and niches in men's dressing room first century CE
Pompeii, Stabian
Baths. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: baths; leisure
baths--palaestra (outside
exercise area) first century CE
Pompeii, Stabian Baths. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: baths; leisure
plan of the baths
of Trajan modern
Credits: S.B. Platner, The Topography and Monuments
of Ancient Rome (2nd ed.), p. 454, 1911
Keywords: baths; leisure; city
of Rome
cutaway model of a
small bath associated with a Roman house in Billingsgate modern
London,
Museum of London. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: baths; leisure;
housing
cutaway model of a bath
complex within a private villa modern
Cirencester, Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: baths; leisure; housing
view of harbor at Baiae,
overlooking ruins of ancient baths
Baiae, Campania. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1979
Keywords: baths; leisure; resort
Lucanian tomb
painting of chariot race in front of funerary stele fifth century BCE
Paestum, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: chariot racing
marble cippus with low relief depiction of a chariot race, Etruscan, from Chiusi, sixth-fifth century BCE;
smaller version.
Palermo, Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonino Salinas. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2008
Keywords: chariot racing; sport
Lucanian tomb painting of
four-horse chariot fifth century BCE
Paestum, Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1979
Keywords: chariot racing
mosaic from private
Roman villa depicting a boy "charioteer" driving chariot pulled by birds,
receiving palm of victory fourth century CE
Piazza Armerina, Villa del
Casale. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: chariot racing; children
bronze statuette of two-horse
chariot (biga), Roman, first-third century CE
view from the front. One of the
horses is missing.
another view from the front;
view from the front with missing horse added;
view from the back;
view from the back with missing horse added;
view from the front with bronze charioteer added;
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986,
1999, 2003
Keywords: chariot racing; circus; sport; leisure
mosaic of charioteer
receiving palm of victory from magistrate fourth century CE
Piazza
Armerina, Villa del Casale. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2008
Keywords:
chariot racing; circus; sports; leisure
relief of chariot
race, c. 300 CE
The race takes place in the Circus Maximus, and one can see the egg counters, the turning post (meta), and some of the sculptures on the central barrier.
This detail shows an accident at the
turn, with another team about to trample a fallen driver.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: chariot racing; circus; sports; leisure
statue of
charioteer
Credits: Leslie Noles.
Keywords: chariot racing;
circus; sports; leisure
front of so-called "circus monument": left corner, Roman, from Neumagen, c. 215 CE;
right corner of front.
This large sandstone funerary monument once depicted a chariot race in the circus on its long front side. Today, only the corners, each with a charioteer holding his lead horse, are extant, although one can see the tops of the turning posts (metae) at both ends of the central panel:
charioteer on the left;
smaller version;
close-up.
charioteer on the right, with whip;
smaller version.
Trier, Rheinisches Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
Keywords: chariot racing; circus; sports; leisure
right side of so-called "circus monument", Roman, from Neumagen, c. 215 CE;
smaller version.
Both sides of the above sandstone funerary monument depict commercial scenes. Here, an
older man is seated at a table writing with a stylus on wax tablets. Three younger men stand beside him; one is
arranging a large pile of coins. At the
foot of the table stands another man holding additional wax tablets, while behind him a man enters the room
with a large bag, probably containing more coins, slung over his left shoulder. There are tied-back curtains
on either side of the room. On the
left side of the monument,
a man stands at a table
pulling a large stack of coins toward
himself, while another man carries a bag of coins on his shoulder. There is no extant inscription on the
monument, but the dedicator, possibly the owner of a racing stable, was obviously emphasizing his lucrative
business. The
back of the monument was
decorated with colorful rosettes in a geometric pattern.
Trier, Rheinisches Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
Keywords: economy; commerce; literacy
model of Roman racing
chariot modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: chariot racing; circus; sports; leisure
mosaic of chariot race
in a circus, from Carthage, third century CE;
smaller version;
detail, chariots and drivers.
On the right can be seen the starting gates (carceres) and in the center the barrier (spina or euripus) with turning post (meta).
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Keywords: chariot racing; sports; leisure
fragment of a
glass bowl with chariot and driver; Roman, 1st century CE
from a
mould-blown glass cut decorated with scenes from the circus.
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: chariot racing;
sports; leisure
terracotta lamp with
circus scene; Roman, 40-70 CE
Depicts a charioteer driving a 4-horse
chariot
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: chariot racing; sports; leisure
terracotta lamp with circus scene; Roman, 2nd-3rd century CE
This closer view shows a chariot race in the Circus Maximus; on the left one can see rows of spectators,
on the right the starting gates, and at the bottom the spina.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: chariot racing; sports; leisure
terracotta lamp with
circus scene; Roman, 30-70 CE
Depicts a victorious charioteer
processing with his team in the Circus Maximus; he holds a palm branch and
prize wreath, and one can see the spina behind him with the dolphins for
counting laps, the obelisk, and a shrine to a deity.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: chariot racing; sports;
leisure
terracotta lamp with
circus scene; Roman, second half of 1st century CE
Depicts the
principal horse of a victorious team surrounded by celebrating fans; the
placard would bear the horse's name and the number of victories he had won.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: chariot
racing; sports; leisure
red jasper sealstone
ring showing a chariot race in the Circus Maximus;
larger version; Roman, 2nd-3rd century
CE
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
chariot racing; sports; leisure; jewelry
small ivory
bust, probably depicting the emperor Caracalla dressed as a charioteer
Roman, early 3rd century CE, said to be from the amphitheater at Arles.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: chariot
racing; sports; leisure
small ivory
figurine of a victorious charioteer holding a palm branch (Roman, 1st-2nd
century CE)
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: chariot racing; sports; leisure
gilded bronze
statuette of charioteer and chariot
larger version
Mainz, Landesmuseum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: chariot racing; circus; sports; leisure
model of Circus
Maximus and Palatine (plastico of fourth century city) modern
EUR
(Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: chariot racing; circus; sports; leisure
relief of procession
opening circus games (pompa);
smaller version, Roman,
c. 280 CE
Part of a sarcophagus lid, probably of Proconnesian marble (some
18th century restorations); belongs to series onRoman magistrates. Four horses,
escorted by a youth, pull the tensa (chest for sacred objects)
containing images of the gods who are to watch the races from the
pulvinar (in this case Jupiter, Castor and Pollux—
see detail).
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: chariot racing;
sports; leisure
mosaic of two race
horses, Roman, imperial period;
smaller version.
North Africa was famed for supplying horses for chariot racing in circuses throughout the Roman world. The palm branches tied to these two horses indicate that they have been victorious in the races; they are named after Greek strongmen heroes, Diomedes and Hercules.
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: chariot racing; circus; sports; leisure; animals
mosaic of two race
horses eating, Roman, imperial period;
smaller version.
This is a small detail from a larger floor mosaic. North Africa was famed for supplying horses for chariot racing in circuses throughout the Roman world.
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: chariot racing; circus; sports; leisure; animals
mosaic showing men playing a dice game, Roman, from El Djem, third century CE;
smaller version.
Two of the men are seated balancing a board on their laps on which they are throwing dice. The third man stands before them watching carefully.
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: leisure; games; gambling; gamblers
mosaic showing two female centaurs crowning Venus, Roman, from Elles in Tunisia, fourth century CE;
smaller version.
Unusually, the two centaurs are shown as
elegantly coiffed females. They hold a gold crown over the head of
Venus, who is shown with a fashionable hairdo and wearing a necklace and earrings; she is holding what appears to be a flower in her right hand. The significance of the inscription, POLYSTEPHANVS RATIONIS EST ARCHEVS, is enigmatic.
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: Aphrodite, mythology
mosaic showing Diana and Apollo, Roman, late fourth century CE;
detail.
The two gods, both holding bows, stand within a shrine; a crane that that have just shot down falls at their feet.
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: Artemis, mythology, hunting
large Dionysiac mosaic with banquet scene, Roman, from Thuburbo Majus, third century CE;
smaller version.
Bacchus and Ariadne are shown reclining on a couch with grapes and ivy above them; Bacchus holds a drinking cup in his hand. Below are various Dionysiac figures, including a
maenad with thyrsus and tympanum.
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: Dionysus, banqueting
detail of mosaic showing a bird in a cage, Roman, imperial period
The bird appears to be a partridge.
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: animals
bust of Vespasian, Roman, first century CE
The nose has been restored.
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: Flavian emperors
bronze applique of female head, probably Ariadne, Hellenistic, late second century BCE
This is one of a pair of bronze heads recovered from a first-century BCE shipwreck off the coast of Tunisia near modern Mahdia. The
other, facing head
probably represents Dionysus, as indicated by the ivy wreaths on both heads. The wrecked ship was full of Greek artifacts being transported to Rome.
Tunis, Bardo Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: Bacchus, Dionysiac
plan of Circus
Maximus modern
Credits: S.B. Platner, The Topography and Monuments
of Ancient Rome (2nd ed.), p. 407, 1911
Keywords: chariot racing;
circus; sports; leisure; city of Rome
terra-cotta lamps of
victorious chariot teams
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1986
Keywords: chariot racing; circus; sports; leisure; houses;
furniture
Lucanian tomb
painting of gladiatorial combat and chariot race fifth century BCE
Paestum, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: chariot racing;
gladiators
mosaic from private
Roman villa depicting charioteer driving a four-horse chariot in opening
procession fourth century CE
Piazza Armerina, Villa del Casale.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1982
Keywords: chariot racing; sports; leisure
Roman mosaic of servant boy
in kitchen scene (with figs, fish, etc.)
St. Petersburg, Hermitage
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: child slaves; clothing;
food
bust of little girl late
second century CE
Santa Monica, Getty Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1989
Keywords: children; hairstyle
terracotta of swaddled
infant with bulla
Brussels, Royal Museum of Art and History. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: children; jewelry; family
"A Chariot Race,"
painting by Alex. Wagner modern
Credits: Albert Kuhn, Roma,
insert facing p. 96, 1913
Keywords: circus; chariot racing; sports; leisure
reconstruction drawing of the Circus Maximus by G. Gatteschi (color added); modern
smaller version;
detail: view of the track through starting gages (carceres)
Credits: Albert Kuhn, Roma, fig. 122, p. 114, 1913
Keywords: circus; chariot races; sports; leisure; city of Rome
mosaic of a victorious
charioteer, Roman, from Trier, c. 250 CE;
smaller version.
This is the centerpiece of a large floor mosaic from a house in Augusta Treverorum on the site where the
imperial baths would be built a century later. The mosaic celebrates the victories of a charioteer for the
red faction, Polydus, and his lead horse Compressor. Polydus holds his whip and a wreath in his upraised
right hand and the palm branch signifying victory in his left.
Trier, Rheinisches Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
Keywords: circus; chariot racing; sports; leisure
"The Second Founding
of Rome, after the Defeat of the Gauls," painting by G. Sciuti modern
Credits: Albert Kuhn, Roma, fig. 75, p. 55, 1913
Keywords: city of
Rome
replica of a Roman
sandal modern
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: clothing; footwear
ancient woman's leather
sandal with gold decoration
Saalburg, Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1988
Keywords: clothing; footwear
ancient Roman leather
shoe
Chesters, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords:
clothing; footwear
ancient Roman leather shoes
on top with modern replicas below
Saalburg, Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1988
Keywords: clothing; footwear
drawing showing design of basic male
tunic (tunica pura) modern
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1998
Keywords:
clothing; men
drawing showing design of
equestrian tunic (tunica angusticlavia) modern
Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1998
Keywords: clothing; men; social class
drawing showing design of
senatorial tunic (tunica laticlavia) modern
Credits: Barbara McManus,
1998
Keywords: clothing; men; social class
drawing of a young man
in the toga pura, showing location of umbo and sinus modern
Credits:
adapted from William Miller, Costume of the Ancients, plate 237,
1812
Keywords: clothing; men; toga
drawing of a curule magistrate
in the toga praetexta modern
Credits: modified from William Miller,
Costume of the Ancients, plate 239, 1812
Keywords: clothing; men;
toga; social class
drawing of various
types of Roman clothing, showing different classes of society (modified)
modern
Mainz, Landesmuseum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords:
clothing; social class
statue of Livia
(head missing) inscribed AUGUSTAE JULIAE DRUSI F--shows stola and palla
(statue made after 14 CE)
Munich, Glyptothek. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1988
Keywords: clothing; stola; women; Livia
statue of
Livia--detail showing strap of stola (statue made after 14 CE)
Munich,
Glyptothek. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: clothing; stola;
women; Livia
replica of vertical loom,
showing how cloth was woven modern
Schwarzenacker, Open Air Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: clothing; textiles; women
drawing of Roman woman
using distaff and spindle to spin wool thread; replica distaff but ancient
spindle whorls modern
Saalburg, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
1988
Keywords: clothing; textiles; women
detail--drawing of Roman
woman using distaff and spindle to spin wool thread modern
Saalburg,
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: clothing; textiles; women
drawing of Roman woman
using vertical loom to weave wool cloth; ancient loom weights modern
Saalburg, Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: clothing;
textiles; women
statue of aristocratic Roman
with toga and scroll
St. Petersburg, Hermitage Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1988
Keywords: clothing; toga
statue of Roman orator in
toga first century CE
Rome, Vatican Museum (Gregorian). Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: clothing; toga
bronze statue of Roman
orator in toga first century BCE
Florence, Archaeological Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1979
Keywords: clothing; toga
ancient leather women's
"bikini" pants--probably belonged to female acrobat
London, Museum of
London. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: clothing; undergarments;
women
wall painting of girl
pouring perfume into a vial; Roman, end first century BCE
larger version
. From a beautifully decorated villa along the Tiber that probably belonged to someone close to Augustus.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: clothing; women
statue of Roman woman
with fringed palla
sometimes called "Juno Cesi"; Roman, early imperial period
right view;
detail, head;
left view
Rome, Capitoline Museum (Palazzo Nuovo). Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: clothing; women
detail of bust of
Plautilla, showing sleeves
Florence, Uffizi Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1979
Keywords: clothing; women
large (half
lifesize) terracotta statue of young Roman woman first century CE
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1986
Keywords: clothing;
women
drawing showing design of woman's tunic
based on the Greek chiton style modern
Credits: Barbara McManus,
1998
Keywords: clothing; women
drawing showing how chiton-style tunic
was worn modern
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1998
Keywords: clothing;
women
drawing showing design of woman's tunic
based on the Greek peplos style modern
Credits: Barbara McManus,
1998
Keywords: clothing; women
drawing showing how peplos-style tunic
was worn modern
Credits: Barbara McManus, 1998
Keywords: clothing;
women
drawing of a Roman woman
wearing a tunica, stola, and palla (modified) modern
Credits: William
Miller, Costume of the Ancients, plate 244, 1812
Keywords: clothing;
women; stola
marble statue of
Cupid and Psyche
copy of original by Antonio Canova made by Italian
sculptor Tadovino, 1834
Villa Carlotta, Como, Italy. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1983.
Keywords: mythology
sard sealstone from a ring, Roman, Augustan or Julio-Claudian era, from Cyprus
clay impression of stone.
The stone contains a portrait of a young woman wearing the nodus hairstyle made popular by Livia and Octavia. The portrait strongly resembles
coins of Octavia, half-sister of Augustus.
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
sardonyx cameo with erotic scene, late Hellenistic or Roman, first cenntury BCE - first century CE;
smaller version.
A nearly naked man tiptoes toward a semi-clothed woman reclining on a lectus, lifting part of her garment. The dolphin, seashell, and cupids, all associated with Aphrodite/Venus, signal the erotic intentions of the couple, while their smiling faces, the maid peaking through the door, and the cupid shushing a dog under the couch indicate the humorous nature of this elaborately carved stone.
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
red-figure wine jug (oinochoe), Attic Greek, late classical period, mid-fourth century BCE;
smaller version.
In the central scene, a wreathed female in a diaphanous dress, holding a wreath and lifting a corner of her veil with her mouth, looks toward Dionysus, seated and wearing a diadem. She is identified as Pompe, the personification of processions, and the gilt basket at her feet is the type used in religious processions to hold ritual implements. Behind her, Eros is shown tying his sandal. The vase probably refers to the Anthesteria, a spring festival in honor of Dionysus in which the the god supposedly celebrated a sacred marriage with the wife of the archon basileus in Athens.
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
Keywords: religion; ritual; Bacchus; Cupid
silver ring with engraved figures of Cybele and Attis, Roman, first-second century CE, from Nacrasa, Asia Minor;
smaller version.
The goddess is seated between two lions; she wears a turreted crown and holds a tympanum and patera. Beside her, the youthful Attis wears trousers under a short tunic.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
Keywords: Great Mother, Magna Mater; jewelry
fresco from the wall of a shop, Roman, Pompeii region IX, insula 7, building 21, first century CE;
smaller version.
The goddess Fortuna, holding a cornucopia and rudder, looks down upon a naked man crouching between two bearded serpents; the words CACATOR CAVE MALV[m] ("Shitter, beware of evil!") are painted above the man. The museum tag identifies the goddess as Isis-Fortuna-Demeter and the man as Harpocrates, but most interpreters think that the man is defecating and the goddess and serpents are apotropaic symbols.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2012
reconstruction drawing of Byrsa Hill in ancient Carthage, modern;
smaller version;
detail: public and private port (smaller version).
Carthage, Carthage Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Etruscan cinerery urn with lid depicting a reclining woman, travertine limestone, from Perugia, c. 150 CE;
smaller version.
The bottom of the lid contains an Etruscan inscription naming the woman, who is shown reclining on a
banqueting couch. Her left arm rests on two pillows with tassels and holds a mirror; around her neck is a
long ribbon-like strip crossed under her breasts and fastened to her belt with a rosette brooch. The urn depicts the death of King Oinomaos, father of Hippodamaia, in his chariot race against Pelops for the hand of his daughter. The
dying Oinomaos has collapsed
on his shield; two female demons, identified on the museum tag as Furies but dressed identically to the Vanth
figures on both sides of the chest, hover near, signifying his impending death. The heads of both females
have broken off; one advances from the left brandishing a torch, while the other bends over his drooping head. On either side of the chest stands
Vanth, an Etruscan
chthonic figure associated with death. She
stands before an arched
door, probably representing the entrance to the Underworld. Although she does not have the wings usually
associated with Vanth, she wears the characteristic costume of this demon--furred hunting boots, a short
tunic belted and folded at her waist, leather straps crossed between her naked breasts, and tight, unattached
half-sleeves. She holds a scroll in her right hand, while her left leans on a downward-pointing torch. She
stands with her bent left
leg resting on a stone, a masculine pose reminiscent of the Greek Gorgons. Her expression is
serious but not threatening.
Berlin, Altes Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
Keywords: funerary; burial; ash urn
marble portrait head of Faustina the Younger, Roman (the bust and stand are modern), c. 161 CE;
smaller version.
Annia Galeria Faustina II, daughter of Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Elder, became empress when her husband, Marcus Aurelius succeeded Antoninus Pius as emperor in 161 CE. This portrait, found near Tivoli, may have been created to celebrate that occasion.
Paris, Louvre Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: imperial women; Faustina Minor
marble portrait head of Faustina the Younger, Roman (the bust is modern), 180-190 CE;
smaller version.
Although the museum dates this portrait of Faustina II later than the previous one, Faustina appears much
younger here, resembling
coins issued by her father when she
was married to Marcus Aurelius in 145 CE. The
side view of this portrait
(smaller version) shows
her hairstyle, parted in the middle and falling in tight waves to a braided chignon at her neck.
Paris, Louvre Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
Keywords: imperial women; Faustina Minor
marble portrait head of Faustina the Elder, Roman, 140-160 CE;
smaller version.
Annia Galeria Faustina I became empress when her husband, Antoninus Pius, succeeded Hadrian, his adoptive father, as emperor in 138 CE. The
side view of this portrait
(smaller version) shows Faustina's elaborate hairstyle, parted in the middle and combed back into braids that are coiled around the top of her head. She wears a decorative band around her hair.
Berlin, Altes Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
Keywords: imperial women; Faustina Maior
wall painting of Julius Terentius performing a sacrifice, Roman, from Dura-Europos, c. 239 CE;
smaller version.
Dura-Europos was a Hellenistic, later Parthian, city on the bank of the Euphrates river in what is now Syria. The city had close ties with Palmyra and was captured by the Romans in 165 CE. This wall painting, from the north wall of the pronaos of the Temple of the Palmyrene Gods, was comissioned by the Roman tribune, Julius Terentius, who is named in Latin. The painting mingles Greek, Roman, and Palmyrene elements; in the lower left corner are the city goddesses (Tychai) of Dura and Palmyra, and above them are three statues wearing Roman cuirasses and Palmyrene helmets. Terentius stands in front of his soldiers making an offering at a
thymiaterion
incense-burner/small altar).
New Haven, Yale Art Gallery. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
Keywords: religion; provinces
marble funerary relief of Publius Sextilius Fortunatus, Roman, c. 120-150 CE
According to the
inscription, the freedwoman Sextilia Isias set up this monument for her
freedman son, who is shown carrying a reed pen, scroll, and wax tablets.
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2013
Keywords: tombstone; freedpeople
marble funerary relief dedicated by Cartilia Materna, found in Rome, first - second century CE
According to the inscription, the freedwoman Materna dedicated this plaque to her husband, Lucius Arruntius Hermes, her son, Marcus Cornelius Vicanus, and her relative Lucius Arruntius Hilarus.
Rome, Tabularium (Capitoline Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: tombstone; freedpeople
marble funerary relief of Geminia Agathe, found in Rome, second century CE
The
inscription includes a twenty-line dactylic hexameter poem in the voice of Geminia Agathe Mater, a lively five-year-old girl who looked and acted like a boy.
Rome, Tabularium (Capitoline Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: tombstone; children
marble portrait head of Hadrian, Roman, 117-138 CE;
smaller version.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: emperor
marble portrait head of Antoninus Pius, Roman, 138-161 CE;
smaller version.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: emperor
marble portrait bust of Marcus Aurelius, Roman, 161-180 CE;
detail: portrait head.
Istanbul, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: emperor
marble sarcophagus, Roman, early third century CE
This sarcophagus uses the myth of the rape of Proserpina to emphasize the violent journey of death. On the left stand Minerva and Mercury, while a female figure with a cornucopia personifying the earth lies below the hooves of Pluto's galloping horses. In the
center, Pluto carries off a swooning Proserpina in a four-horse chariot, with Cupid holding the reins and Cerberus peering up from below. On the
right, a goddess wearing a crown rests her hand on a cista mystica and a torch-bearing figure drives a chariot drawn by winged serpents. A
winged sphinx appears on either side of the sarcophagus.
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: funerary symbolism; Persephone; Hades
marble funerary altar for Gaius Crixius Secundus, Roman, c. 100-150 CE
Found in a necropolis on the Via Flaminia in Rome, this altar was dedicated by the freedwoman Crixia Secundina to her freeborn patron and husband, Crixius Secundus. In the
inscription, he is called the "best patron and most indulgent husband." Crixius may have been a teacher, since
he is shown togate, holding a scroll in his left hand and clasping the hand of a small boy with his right. There is a patera carved on the right side of the altar and an urceus on the left.
Rome, Tabularium (Capitoline Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: tombstone; freedpeople; education
Go to Index, Part I, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Part XII, Part XIII, Part XIV, Part XV, Roman Coins: Republic and Principate, Roman Coins: Empire, Greek Coins, Coins from the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, Coins from the National Museum in Warsaw, Poland, Coins from the Hunterian Museum
revised October, 2013
