Go to Index, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, 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
interior of Theater of Marcellus
front of model;
side of model;
back of model;
detail of
scaenae frons
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: drama; entertainment; leisure; city of
Rome
Porta Capena (gate in
Servian wall at beginning of Via Appia) from model of Rome in the fourth
century CE (plastico)
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: city gate; city of Rome; Appian Way
Circus Maximus from model of Rome in the fourth century CE (plastico)
view rounded end looking toward starting gates;
view from starting gates taken on ground level;
detail, starting gates (carceres);
detail, central barrier (spina);
detail, stands;
detail, rounded end with arch;
detail, location of finish line;
detail, emperor's box (pulvinar);
detail, triumphal arch at rounded end.
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003; 2007
Keywords: chariot racing, leisure, city of Rome
model of a Roman
circus
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2003
Keywords: chariot racing, leisure
model of Roman
domus, cross-section of interior
showing vestibulum, atrium,
tablinum, and peristyle;
model of Roman domus,
exterior
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2003
Keywords: house, townhouse
model of Roman
apartment building from Ostia, front view
model of Roman apartment
building, side view
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: insula, Casa di Diana
genius cucullatus,
small statuette wearing hooded cloak (cucullus), carved from
amber
Roman, imperial period, from tomb at Vetralla
Rome, Palazzo Massimo
alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
clothing
mosaic depicting
a charioteer from each of the 4 stables
smaller version
detail, charioteer from Blues;
detail,
charioteer from Greens;
detail, charioteer from Reds;
detail,
charioteer from Whites.
Roman, 3rd century CE, from a villa in Baccano
belonging to the imperial Severi family.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
(National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004, 2007
Keywords: circus,
leisure, factions, chariot race
statue of older
magistrate ready to throw down mappa as signal to begin chariot
race
statue of younger
magistrate with mappa
Roman, end of fourth century - beginning of
fifth century CE; found in Horti Linciani
Rome, Museo Montemartini
(Capitoline Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: circus,
leisure
head of Julius Caesar
dating from last years of his life (50-44 BCE); found on the Esquiline Hill
Rome, Museo Montemartini (Capitoline Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
funerary altar of Quintus
Sulpicius Maximus; Roman, first century CE
smaller version; detail of poet.
This beautifully carved monument, which was found built into the Porta Salaria of the later Aurelian walls in
Rome, commemorates an 11-year-old boy who won a prize in a poetry contest in 94 CE. The boy's extempore poem in Greek hexameters is a monologue by Zeus berating Helios for allowing Phaeton to drive his chariot; it is
carved on both sides of the statue, ending in the
open scroll held by the boy. Below the statue is a Latin inscription and two epigrams in Greek elegiacs.
Rome, Museo Montemartini (Capitoline Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004.
Keywords: declamation, poet, education
“Numa
Pompilius Establishing Worship of the Vestals”;
detail of Numa;
detail of
Vestals
fresco by Guiseppe Cesari, known as the Cavalier d'Arpino,
1636-40
Rome, Museo dei Conservatori (Capitoline Museums). Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2003
Keywords: legend of early Rome; Roman king; vestal virgins
bust of actor wearing
mask of comic slave; Roman, imperial period
Rome, Vatican Museum
(Chiaramonti). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: drama, theater,
comedy, entertainment
relief from
child's sarcophagus—cupids race chariots in a circus; Roman, 3rd
century CE
detail
showing dolphins, eggs, and chariots
Rome, Vatican Museum (Chiaramonti).
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: chariot race, leisure
marble relief of chariot race in the Circus Maximus; from Rome, 3rd century CE
detail: left side;
closer view
showing the imperial enclosure (pulvinar) with the emperor holding what appears to be the mappa in his right hand.
One of the nobles in the enclosure extends a hand toward the victorious charioteer.
On the side of the pulvinar are two statues of deities watching the race, Victoria and one of the Dioscuri.
Rome, Vatican Museum (Chiaramonti). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: chariot race, leisure
relief of cupids
driving chariots drawn by hounds in the Circus Maximus; Roman, 120-40
CE
detail showing
starting gates (carceres)
London, British Museum (Townley
Collection). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: chariot race,
leisure
detail, terracotta relief of
turning-post (meta) in the Circus Maximus
jubilator has
already rounded post as team approaches; Roman, second half of 1st century
CE
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1999
Keywords:
chariot race, leisure
bronze lamp with
horse-head deco, Roman, 40-60 CE
London, British Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 1999
Keywords: furniture, domus
two bronze strigils,
Roman, first century CE
found in the Large Palaestra in Pompeii
Naples,
National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an Eruption” exhibit).
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: baths, bathing, leisure
glass bowl of figs, detail
of wall painting; Roman, first century CE
Oplontis, so-called Villa of
Poppaea. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: domus, food
wall
painting of garden scene with sphinx fountain, Roman, first century
CE
from private baths complex in so-called Villa of Poppaea
Oplontis.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: fresco
wall
painting of garden scene with fountain and birds, Roman, first century
CE
from private baths complex in so-called Villa of Poppaea
Oplontis.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: fresco
statue of athlete
cleaning himself with strigil, known as Apoxymenos (strigil now
lost)
Roman copy of Greek bronze by Lysippus c. 320 BCE
Rome, Vatican
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: athletics; baths
fragment of large
sarcophagus relief; Roman, third century CE
larger version
.
The relief depicts a horse turning a mill-stone for grinding wheat in a bakery; a lamp can be seen on the shelf.
Rome, Vatican Museum (Chiaramonti). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: bakery, bread
statue of wounded Amazon;
side view
Roman, first century CE copy of a Greek original by Phidias from the sanctuary of Artemis in Ephesus
Rome, Palazzo Nuovo (Capitoline Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
marble bust of Nero;
front view;
view from other
side
Roman, first century CE
Rome, Palazzo Nuovo (Capitoline
Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: emperor
Pentelic marble head of
Nero; Roman, adapted from original of 60-65 CE
London, British Museum
(Townley Collection). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: emperor
marble bust of
Julio-Claudian woman;
side view
usually
identified as Poppaea, wife of Nero or possibly Agrippina the Younger; Roman,
c. 54-68 CE
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: emperor, empress
opus sectile mosaic
with charioteers;
smaller version
from
the Basilica of Junius Bassus, consul in 331 CE; the upper-class man driving
two-horse chariot is probably Bassus, while the four horsemen behind him
represent the colors of the four stables (red, blue, green, and white)
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2003
Keywords: circus factions, chariot racing
silver cup with
convivial skeletons in relief from treasure of Boscoreale (near
Pompeii)
Roman, first century CE
Paris, Louvre Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 1999
Keywords: dining, carpe diem, dinner party
black-and-white
mosaic of skeleton holding wine jugs, from Pompeii
Roman, first century
CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: dining, carpe diem, dinner party
top half of
bronze jointed skeleton; Roman, possibly first century CE
sometimes
called a larva convivialis from the dinner party of Trimalchio in the
Satyricon of Petronius
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National
Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: dining, carpe
diem
polychrome
table-top mosaic from Pompeii; Roman, first century CE
“death
levels all” theme depicting builder's leveling tool from which is
suspended a skull, butterfly, and wheel of fortune; from one side of the level
hang a sceptre and royal purple robe, while from the other hang a beggar's
staff and rags.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2003
Keywords: skeleton
gold necklace
with emeralds and pearls; Roman, first century CE
found in the area of
Pompeii, near Moregine
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories
from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
jewelry
bronze lantern; Roman,
first century CE
found with a corpse on the Via dell’ Abbondanza in
Pompeii
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an
Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: lighting,
lamp
bronze lantern; Roman,
first century CE
found with a group of corpses in a corridor of the House of
the Menander in Pompeii
Naples, National Archaeological Museum
(“Stories from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: lighting, lamp
two daggers used
by gladiators; Roman, first century CE
found in the gladiator's barracks
in the small palaestra near the theater in Pompeii (quadriporticus);
blades are iron, and handles are bone and ivory
Naples, National
Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: arena, gladiatorial combat, weapons,
pugio
round shield used
by gladiators; Roman, first century CE
found in the gladiator's barracks
in the small palaestra near the theater in Pompeii (quadriporticus);
bronze with decorations in copper and silver; head of Medusa in
center
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an
Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: arena,
gladiatorial combat, weapons, scutum
shoulder guards
used by retiarius gladiators; Roman, first century CE
found in
the gladiator's barracks in the small palaestra near the theater in Pompeii
(quadriporticus); bronze with relief decorations—top has marine
images (crab, trident, anchor, etc.); bottom has relief head of Hercules in
center
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an
Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: arena,
gladiatorial combat, weapons, galerus
shin protectors
used by gladiators; Roman, first century CE
found in
the gladiator's barracks in the small palaestra near the theater in Pompeii
(quadriporticus); bronze with relief decorations—left has figure of Minerva; right has figure of Venus on a ship
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an
Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: arena,
gladiatorial combat, weapons, ocrea, greaves
helmet of a Murmillo gladiator; Roman, found in the Quadriporticus near the Theater in Pompeii, first century CE
view from the side.
This bronze helmet has
relief decorations of military trophies.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an
Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: arena, gladiatorial combat, armor
wall painting of
drinking scene; Roman, first century CE
from inn of Salvius in Pompeii;
part of a “comic-strip” series of paintings. Man on left calls to
barmaid “Over here” (hoc), while man on right says “No;
it's mine” (non / mia est). Barmaid, carrying a cup and wine jug,
says “The man who ordered this will get it. Oceanus, come here and
drink” (qui vol / sumat / Oceane / veni bibe).
Naples, National
Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: fresco, leisure, tavern, caupona
wall painting of
gambling scene; Roman, first century CE
from inn of Salvius in Pompeii;
part of a “comic-strip” series of paintings. Man on left says
“I've got it” (exsi), while man on right says “It's two,
not three” (non / tria duas / est). In the next (damaged) painting,
the men come to blows and the innkeeper orders them to take their quarrel
outside.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an
Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: fresco,
leisure, tavern, caupona, game
wall painting of
erotic scene; Roman, first century CE
from inn of Salvius in Pompeii;
part of a “comic-strip” series of paintings. Man and woman are
kissing while man says, “I don't want to do it with Myrtale” (nolo
/ cum Myrtale).
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories
from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
fresco, leisure, tavern, caupona, prostitution
polychrome mosaic
depicting comic masks of a young woman and a slave
Roman, age of
Hadrian, second century CE
Rome, Palazzo Nuovo (Capitoline Museums).
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: theater, drama, comedy
fragment of a
polychrome mosaic depicting a comic actor playing a slave; Roman, first
century CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: comedy, drama, theater
polychrome mosaic
depicting scene from New Comedy;
detail of central
scene
two women consult a sorceress; from the so-called “villa of
Cicero” in Pompeii; signed by Dioskurides of Samos; Roman, first century
CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: comedy, drama, actor, theater
polychrome mosaic
depicting street musicians;
detail of central
scene
from the so-called “villa of Cicero” in Pompeii; signed
by Dioskurides of Samos; Roman, first century CE
Naples, National
Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: music,
musical instruments
polychrome mosaic
portrait of a woman
from Pompeii; Roman, first century CE
Naples,
National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
polychrome
“Alexander mosaic”
depicts the victory of Alexander the Great
over the Persian king Darius at the Battle of Issos in 333 BCE; copy of
fourth-century BCE Greek painting, probably by Philoxenos of Eretria; from the
exedra of the House of the Faun, Pompeii; first century CE
detail, Darius fleeing in
chariot; detail, head of
Darius; detail, Alexander
and Bucephalus; detail,
head of Alexander; detail,
fallen Persian looking at his reflection in shield;
detail, Persians fleeing on
horseback
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2003
black-and-white
mosaic depicting skeleton bearing two wine jugs
from Pompeii; Roman,
first century CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2003
Keywords: carpe diem
black-and-white mosaic
depicting watchdog
from Pompeii; Roman, first century CE
Naples,
National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
dog, vestibulum, fauces
life-size statue of Livia;
detail, head and upper torso
from the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii; Roman, first century CE
Naples,
National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: Augustus, empress
modern replica of
Roman bronze brazier
central bowl would hold fire for purposes of
heating
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: furniture
modern replica of
Roman bronze chest
for purposes of storing records, valuables,
etc.
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: furniture
modern replica
of Roman bronze lamp holder
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: furniture, lamps, lighting
modern replica of
Roman couch or bed
with bronze fittings and wooden slats and body; a
cushion would have been placed over the slats
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman
Civilization. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: furniture,
lectus
gold bracelet in
the form of a serpent; Roman, first century CE
found on arm of woman who
had apparently sheltered in a building in Agro Murecine (modern Moregine) near
Pompeii; on the inside of the bracelet is carved “from the Master to his
slave girl” (DOM[I]NUS ANCILLAE SUAE).
The woman was carrying a
quantity of jewelry and
several coins.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories
from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
slavery, jewelry
polychrome mosaic
depicting backstage theatrical scene;
detail, two members of
satyr chorus and flute player;
detail, tragic masks of
woman and old man;
detail, tragic mask of man
in his prime
from tablinum of House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii;
Roman, first century CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: tragedy, drama, actor, theater
bronze cooking utensils;
Roman, first century CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: pans, pots, kitchen
bronze cooking
utensil; Roman, first century CE
long handle probably indicates that
this was used in an oven
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: pans, pots, kitchen
wall painting of
Bacchus at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius;
detail of central
scene
from the lararium of the House of the Centenary in Pompeii; Roman,
first century CE
Bacchus is covered with grapes, and below him coils a
bearded serpent, the “good god” (agathodemone).
Naples,
National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
wine, Dionysus
wall painting
from the Temple of Isis in Pompeii;
detail of
priest
Depicts a statue of Harpocrates (son of Isis) in a niche and a
priest with white roles and shaven head carrying two silver candle holders;
Roman, first century CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: religion, Egypt, candelabrum
head of Claudius wearing civic crown of oak leaves;
Roman, first century CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: corona civica
statue of Julius Caesar as general;
head and right arm are restored.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: imperator
bust of Julius Caesar;
side view
from the Forum Romanum in Rome, era of Trajan.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003.
cast of a bust of Julius Caesar;
side view
from Egypt; the original head, made of basalt, is in Berlin.
EUR (Rome), Museum of Roman Civilization. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003.
plaster cast of a victim of
the eruption of Vesuvius from Pompeii; first century CE
Pompeii.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: calchi
plaster cast of a victim of
the eruption of Vesuvius from Pompeii; first century CE
skull and teeth
are visible
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
calchi
plaster cast of a child
victim of the eruption of Vesuvius from Pompeii; first century CE
folds
of his clothing are visible
Naples, National Archaeological Museum
(“Stories from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: calchi
plaster cast of a man and
woman, victims of the eruption of Vesuvius from Pompeii; first century
CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an
Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
calchi
plaster cast of a chained
dog who died during the eruption of Vesuvius
from Pompeii; first century
CE
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: calchi,
watchdog
skeletons found in
chambers by seawall at Herculaneum; first century CE
These victims of
Vesuvius were discovered in 1980.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum
(“Stories from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
wall
paintings from triclinium A in luxury inn in Agro Murecine (modern
Moregine); first century CE
This inn, with five triclinia, may have been
built specially for Nero; the paintings in this triclinium depict Apollo with
cithara leading the muses, and may contain portraits of Nero, Poppaea, and
Agrippina the Younger.
detail, Apollo citharoede
with face of Nero;
detail, Thalia, muse of comedy
with face of Poppaea;
closer view of
Thalia
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an
Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: taberna
deversoria, dining room
triclinium C
in luxury inn in Agro Murecine (modern Moregine); first century CE
Shows
wall paintings, marble couches, and central table with fountain.
detail, wall painting
of Sarno River god, couches, and table
Naples, National Archaeological
Museum (“Stories from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2003
Keywords: taberna deversoria, dining room
black-and-white
mosaic depicting watchdog
in vestibule of the House of Paquius Proculus in Pompeii; Roman, first century CE
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: dog, vestibulum, fauces
view of atrium from
vestibule
House of Paquius Proculus in Pompeii, first century CE;
smaller version.
The elaborate mosaic floor depicts a panel with centaurs and geometric patterns. The drain for the impluvium can be seen, and there are reconstructed stairs to the second floor.
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: domus, Tuscan atrium
marble statue of
Apollo with cithara;
detail of head and
cithara
said to be Roman copy of Apollo of Scopas; imperial
period
Rome, Vatican Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
Apollo citharoede, poetry
mosaic from
Aventine hill in Rome depicting entertainers
detail, dancing girl and
musicians;
detail, man serving wine
and musicians;
detail, dancing girl and
musicians; Roman, third century CE
Rome, Vatican Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: entertainment, leisure
view of atrium
from vestibule
showing mosaic floor with dogs hunting a boar in
vestibule; peristyle garden can be seen in back; House of the Boar in Pompeii;
Roman, first century CE
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
vestibulum, fauces, Tuscan atrium
plaster cast
of folding doors
from the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii; Roman,
first century CE
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
large stove
from the kitchen of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii
Roman, first
century CE
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
culina, cooking
brick oven from
the kitchen of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii
Roman, first century
CE
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: culina,
cooking
exterior of shop
(thermopolion of Asellina) on Via dell' Abbondanza in Pompeii;
painted
notices can be seen now covered with glass); Roman, first century
CE
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: graffiti, bar,
tavern
lararium shrine
in small peristyle garden
from House of the Tragic Poet in
Pompeii
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: household gods,
lares, religion
corner where two streets meet in
Pompeii
Via Consolare corner near Herculaneum gate; fountain can be seen at corner
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: street, crossroad
arch for pedestrians in Herculaneum gate in
Pompeii
view of Via dei Sepolchri through arch
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: street, gate
curving alley in Pompeii
leading to large brothel (Vicolo Lupanare)
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: street
wall painting of
Priapus from large brothel in Pompeii;
The fertility god has two erect
phalluses.
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: fresco,
brothel, prostitution, erotic art
wall painting of
sexual scene from large brothel in Pompeii;
Note striped
mattress.
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: fresco,
brothel, prostitution, erotic art
wall painting of
sexual scene from large brothel in Pompeii;
Note candelabrum on left of
couch.
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: fresco, brothel,
prostitution, erotic art
single-celled
brothel near large brothel;
Vicolo del Lupanare in Pompeii
Pompeii.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: brothel, prostitution
phallic sign over
single-celled brothel near large brothel;
Vicolo del Lupanare in
Pompeii
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: brothel,
prostitution
brick exterior arches and
doors of market in Forum of Pompeii;
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: shops, macellum, commerce
exercise grounds
of Stabian Baths in Pompeii;
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: palaestra, bathing, athletics
large swimming pool
in Stabian Baths in Pompeii;
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: natatio, bathing
view across
palaestra toward enclosure of foot pool in Stabian Baths in Pompeii;
detail of painted stucco
decoration on enclosure;
additional detail of stucco
decoration
Pompeii. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
natatio, bathing
cold plunge of Forum
Baths in Pompeii;
Note painted and stucco decoration.
Pompeii.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: frigidarium, bathing
dressing room of
Suburban Baths in Herculaneum;
Walls and floor are paved with colored
marble; note hardened pyroclastic flow from Vesuvius in
doorway.
Herculaneum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
apodyterium, bathing
view of ruins of
Herculaneum with Vesuvius in background
60 feet below modern town of
Ercolano; courtyard and entrance to Suburban Baths can be seen at bottom of
photo.
Herculaneum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
marble tripod table with
lion decoration on legs
from House of the Stags in
Herculaneum.
Herculaneum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
furniture
peristyle
garden in House of the Black Room (salone nero) in
Herculaneum;
lararium shrine can be seen in back.
Herculaneum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2003
view of atrium
toward tablinum with folding wooden doors
House of the Wooden Partition
in Herculaneum.
Herculaneum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
impluvium, Tuscan atrium
view of atrium
and vestibule from tablinum
House of the Wooden Partition in
Herculaneum; note opening for cistern and marble table.
Herculaneum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: impluvium, Tuscan atrium
street view in Herculaneum
showing porch over entrance to a house with rented rooms.
Herculaneum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: opus craticium, apartment
street in Herculaneum
showing house facades and sidewalks
Herculaneum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003.
thermopolium
counter faced with colored marble
large thermopolium in
Herculaneum.
Herculaneum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: bar,
tavern
inside of
thermopolium counter showing embedded jars
large thermopolium in
Herculaneum.
Herculaneum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: bar,
tavern, dolium
three-sided
stone bench for eating
small thermopolium in
Herculaneum.
Herculaneum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: bar,
tavern
fresco depicting a banquet scene from the so-called House of Emperor Joseph II, region VIII, insula 2, building 39; first century CE
The fragmentary fresco depicts a banquet taking place an an elaborate room with a Egyptianizing column and colonnaded niches with statues (one of them Cupid). In the center scene,
center scene, a middle-aged woman, reclining on a lectus with colored cushions,
holds out a silver cup, from which she has apparently imbibed too much wine.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Keywords: dinner party; dining
painted panel depicting a backstage theatrical scene from the Palaestra in Herculaneum, Roman, first century CE;
smaller version.
This third-style panel was found with 3 other panels ready to be inserted in a wall, proving that panels could be painted separately. It depicts an
actor costumed as a king in a
tragedy, holding a sword and a scepter. He gazes at a young woman writing a dedication to Dionysus beneath his tragic mask.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Keywords: drama; wall painting
fresco depicting a woman musician from Herculaneum, Roman, 30-40 CE;
smaller version.
This third-style fresco apparently shows the preparation for a musical performance. A
female musician sits on a couch (lectus) with an elaborate coverlet; in her left hand she holds a five-stringed lyre, while with her right hand she tunes a small harp that is lying on the couch. Three other women gaze intently at her, one wearing a garland; these may be singers.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Keywords: concert; wall painting; working women
fresco depicting a woman painter from the House of the Surgeon in Pompeii, region VI, insula 1, building 10, Roman, first century CE;
smaller version.
In this fresco a
female painter seated on a folding stool holds a paintbrush in her right hand; behind her is a paintbox. She
looks up at a herm of Priapus as she finishes painting a panel of the statue
(detail of wooden statue of Priapus); a young boy wearing a garland holds up the panel. Behind her
two well-dressed women lean against a wall and watch her.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Keywords: wall painting; working women
fresco depicting a woman painter from the so-called House of the Empress of Russia in Pompeii, region VI, insula 14, building 42, Roman, first century CE;
smaller version.
In this fresco a
seated female painter finishes painting a panel of a herm of Bacchus. A cloaked and veiled woman sits behind her and watches as she paints.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Keywords: wall painting; working women
third-style fresco depicting a woman with a sparrow from triclinium 5 of the Villa Ariadne at Stabiae, Roman, first century CE
The scantily-clad, garlanded woman reclines on a couch (lectus) and holds her pet sparrow on her outstretched right arm. This image was somewhat repaired in Photoshop from the
damaged and faded original.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Keywords: wall painting
third-style fresco depicting a woman selling Cupids, the so-called "Cupid vendor" from the Villa Ariadne at Stabiae, Roman, first century CE;
smaller version.
A seated older woman pulls a squirming Cupid out of a
cage that holds another pouting Cupid. She is apparently offering the Cupids for sale to
two well-dressed women who may have already purchased one, since a Cupid stands at the knee of the seated woman and looks up at her rather apprehensively.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Keywords: wall painting; humor
fresco depicting the Trojan Horse, from Pompeii, Roman, first second century CE;
smaller version;
detail, horse before walls of Troy.
The Trojan Horse is being dragged to the walls of Troy, greeted by soldiers and women. The Palladium, statue of Pallas Athena, appears on the left, and in the upper register, Cassandra, her dire prophecies ignored, leaves the city brandishing a torch.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2010
Keywords: wall painting; Trojan War; Iliad
sardonyx intaglio depicting Trajan and three imperial women, Roman, early second century CE;
smaller version.
On the right, the emperor Trajan, wearing a laurel wreath, and his wife, the empress Pompeia Plotina, face Trajan's elder sister, Ulpia Marciana (at rear), and her daughter, Salonia Matidia. Trajan brought his sister and niece to live at the palace, granted both the title Augusta, and deified Marciana after her death (sometime between 112 and 114 CE).
Naples, Farnese gems, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2012
Keywords: imperial women; imperial family; empress
Attic red-figure kylix (cup); Greek, found in Vulci, 480-470 BCE
The cup is signed by Douris. The
central tondo shows two
women, beautifully dressed in chiton and himation. The seated woman pulls wool from a basket over her knee to
smooth out the fibers; she supports her leg on a footrest. There was a special vessel, called an epinetron (see
next entry) would could be placed over the thigh and knee to facilitate this process.
Berlin, Altes Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: vase painting; woolworking
Attic red-figure epinetron; Greek, from Athens, c. 450 BCE
This special clay vessel was designed to aid women in the process of smoothing out wool fibers before weaving (see previous entry). The epinetron, which functioned like a kind of "thimble" for the thigh and knee, had no decoration on top because that part of the vessel received the greatest wear. A woman's face is painted on the front of this epinetron, while the side shows a woman with two youths.
Berlin, Altes Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: vase painting; woolworking
cinerary urn of Sellia Epyre, from Rome, first half of the first century CE;
smaller version.
The inscription on the lid of the urn indicates that Sellia Epyre was an aurivestrix, a maker and seller of clothes decorated with gold, with a shop on the Sacra Via. The body of the urn bears an inscription in a different script with an man's name in the genitive case, Quintus, Futus Olympicus, perhaps her husband. Their names indicate that both were freedpeople.
Rome, Terme Diocleziano, (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: funerary; businesswoman; textile; liberti
terracotta figurine, Hellenistic, from Memphis, Egypt, third century BCE;
smaller version.
The statuette shows a female with an elaborate headdress uncovering herself to reveal her genitals; it may represent Aphrodite.
Amsterdam, Allard Pierson Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: sexuality; Venus
terracotta figurine,
Greek, from Corinth, 400-375 BCE
The statuette shows a comic actor declaiming.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: theater; comedy
terracotta figurine,
Hellenistic
The statuette depicts the ithyphallic fertility god Priapus, protector of livestock, fruit plants, gardens and male genitalia.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Go to Index, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, 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 December, 2012
