Go to Images Part I; Images Part II; Images Part III; Images Part IV; Images Part V; Images Part VI; Images Part VII; Images Part VIII; Images Part IX; Images Part XI; Images Part XII
Funerary Altar white marble The face of the altar is bordered by columns. The top of the altar, once covered by a slab, contains a cavity in which the ashed of the deceased were placed. The upper relief is a winged Gorgon's head flanked by winged horses, over a draped garland. The lower relief shows a banqueting skeleton reclining on a couch, placing a garland on his head and drinking from a cup; to the side are inscribed a butterfly and a lizard hunting an insect, below is a border of ivy. The sides contain a relief of a laurel tree growing between a pillar and a column. It is dedicated to 9 year old Antonia Panaces. CIL 6.12059. Found in Rome, last half of the 2nd century CE.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2010
Keywords: girl, Empire, banquet, funeral, death
Omphale and Heracles marble statuette Omphale, the Lydian queen is nude. In an inversion of their roles, she holds his club and wears his lion skin while Heracles wears a snood and a dress belted with a Heracles knot, carrying a spindle topped with yarn. 1st century CE copy of a Roman original of the late 1st century BCE.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2010
Keywords: myth, epic, women, gender
Plaque marble relief Andromeda, standing on a cliff, is rescued from the sea monster by Perseus, who holds the head of Medusa behind his back. 1st 1/2 1st century CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2010
Keywords: myth, epic, women
Family tomb group, four marble monuments
Stele of Vibia Drosis, who set up at least 3 of the monuments: her own (portrait bust with a Flavian hairstyle, inscription), that of her 49 year old patron (a former master who was probably her husband: see her son's citizen name below and the endearment patro[no] suo carissimo) Gaius Vibius Felix (portrait bust with a Julio-Claudian hairstyle, inscription; one side of his stele bears cursive script from a later period, advising that the monument be left unharmed); and that of her 23 year old son, Gaius Vibius Severus (portrait bust with a Neronian hairstyle, inscription). AE 1992. 202-204. The cinerary urn is inscribed for C. Vibius Herostratus and Vibia Haeresis (only she is named as freed by Gaius but probably both were); they were probably a couple. Rome, Flavian period (69-80 CE).
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Credits: Ann Raia, 2007
Keywords: death, women, Empire, slavery, class
Amphora, red figure
The rape of Thetis by Peleus. Athens, 360-50 BCE.
London, British Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: myth, hero, religion
Trefoil oenoechoe, red figure
Hekate, holding 2 torches, dances before a blazing altar beside a cult statue. She wears a crimson cloak, her dress is decorated with a gold foil bow and a laurel wreath (detail). Athens, 350-300 BCE.
London, British Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: goddess, underworld, religion, ritual
Kylix, red figure
Hades holds a phiale and cornucopia, reclining; Persephone sits facing him on the tondo). From Vulci: Athens, 440-30 BCE.
London, British Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: goddess, underworld, religion, myth
Pelike, red figure Gnathian ware
Entertainer plays double pipes beside an incense burner (figure). Southern Apulia, 330 BCE.
London, British Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: women, entertainment, Magna Graecia
Gold Ring
Relief of a couple marking their union in marriage with dextrarum iunctio. Gold ring embossed with clasped right hands, the symbol of loyalty in marriage and in civic life. Perhaps both were wedding gifts from the groom to the bride. Roman, 2-3rd century CE.
London, British Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: wedding, ritual, jewelry
Amazon marble statue Fully armed and in battle, the lifesize Amazon sits on a spirited horse (detail). 2nd century CE copy of a greek original of the 2nd century BCE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2010
Keywords: myth, war, women, armor
Atrium Lararium
The main lararium in the house that probably belonged to Q. Poppaeus was shaped like a temple on a podium frescoed with a large circle; it had a wooden lattice grill on one side (now a plaster cast). A second lararium was found in the SW corner of the peristyle with a built-in altar and apsed niche containing wooden busts (now plaster casts) which were probably ancestor images. 79 CE.
Pompeii: House of Menander. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: religion, family, architecture
Lararium
It is shaped like a temple on a podium that was frescoed with a large circle. Side view showing the second story and mosaic pavement; side view showing frescoed wall panel. 79 CE, from Pompeii: House of the Golden Cupids.
Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: religion, family, architecture
Garden Lararium
Side view. 79 CE.
Pompeii: House of the Tragic Poet. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: religion, family, architecture
Altar, marble
Comissioned by the wealthy freedwoman Naevoleia Tyche to memorialize her family's name and mercantile business. Inscribed for herself, her husband, C. Munatius Faustus, and their freedpersons, the monumental altar contained their ashes inside. She is pictured on the front looking out of an upper-story window at the crowd scene and the street traffic below. 79 CE.
Pompeii: Street of the Tombs outside the Herculaneum Gate. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: death, family, class, architecture
Funerary portraits, marble
The tomb was dedicated by Hermodorus and his wife Demaris, probably fellow slaves from Egypt who were freed by the family of the Rabirii. Beside them is a possible descendent, a Priestess of Isis, Usia Prima, wearing a garland of flowers, flanked by the sumbols of her office, the sistrum and patera. 40 BCE.
Rome: Baths of Diocletian Museum; Via Appia. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: religion, family, architecture
Woman's Toilette fresco
The subject of the scene is uncertain: dressing a priestess? a bride? An older woman and a younger look on. Detail of the central figure whose hair is being dressed by an attendant. Detail of the facial expressions of the four women. 79 CE. Found in the palaestra of the Forum Baths at Herculaneum.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2010
Keywords: women, clothing, home
Female Group, line drawing in monochrome on marble
Three adult women greet each other, standing behind two young women crouching down playing the game of knuckebones. 79 CE.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2010
Keywords: entertainment, clothing, domestic
Child's Sarcophagus, marble fragment
Scenes from the life of a child: in the left panel, surrounded by women, the mother sits on a throne chair nursing her infant while the nurse bathes a child; in the background the three Fates work the threads of the child's alloted life. In the right panel the child drives a goat cart among friends.
Vatican Museums (Chiaramonti). Credits: Ann Raia, 2007
Keywords: childhood, family, domestic, play
Cleopatra VII, coin
Portrait of the Queen; image personally approved by her. c. mid-1st century BCE.
Glasgow, Hunterian Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: Egypt, Ptolemy, women, money
Sandals, woven straw
Back view. Woven basket. Granada, 6/5th century BCE.
Madrid, Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011.
Keywords: Spain, clothing, domestic
Lady of Elche, polychrome limestone
Portrait bust of a woman of wealth and status, perhaps cut from a full length standing statue.
Side view. Probably a funeral urn holding ashes (see back view). Iberian, 5/4th century BCE, found in L'Alcudia (Valencia).
Madrid, Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011.
Keywords: Spain, death, women, dress, religion
Lady of Baza, limestone and painted stucco
Woman of wealth and status, seated on a throne; perhaps the space on the side held a cinerary urn. Iberian, 1st half 4th century BCE, found in Tomb 155, Cerro del Santuario necropolis, Baza (Granada).
Madrid, Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011.
Keywords: Spain, death, women, dress, religion
Offering, limestone
Full-length statue of a woman of wealth and status or a priestess, making an offering. Iberian, 3rd century BCE. Castillo.
Madrid, Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011.
Keywords: Spain, death, women, dress, religion
Thymiateria, gold
Vessels for burning incense. From Seville, 7th century BCE.
Madrid, Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011.
Keywords: Spain, religion
Sun Dial, marble and bronze
The bronze plaque on top has a round opening to allow in the rays of the sun. The curved marble circle below is marked with lines to indicate the time as the light strikes it. Roman, from Cadiz, 1st century CE.
Madrid, Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011.
Keywords: Spain, technology, sculpture
Lar, bronze
Statuette of garlanded lar holding cornucopia. Roman, from Seville, 1st half 1st century CE.
Madrid, Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011.
Keywords: religion, domestic, worship
Genius, bronze
Statuette of Genius in Roman toga, holding out hand that may have held a dish for worship. Roman, from La Coruna, 1st century CE.
Madrid, Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011.
Keywords: religion, domestic, worship
Venus, bronze
Statuette of the goddess nude, wearing a crown and jewels. Roman, 1st century CE.
Madrid, Museo Arqueologico Nacional. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011.
Keywords: religion, women, jewelry
Cleopatra VII, denarius
Portrait of the Queen; obverse portrait of
Antony. 32-31 BCE.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: Egypt, Ptolemy, women, money
Head of Vesta, silver denarius
Obverse: inscribed "Q. Cassius [Longinus] (moneyer) Vest[a]." Reverse: Temple of Vesta with curule chair inside, voting urn to left, object on right worn away. Syd 917. c. 57 BCE.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: religion, goddess, republic, money
Veiled Head of Vesta/Vestal, silver denarius
Obverse: letter A on left, culullus (ritual cup) on right; another example of this issue contains the letter L on left. Reverse: Voting: togate male places voting tablet into cista; inscribed: [L. Cassius] LONGIN[us] (moneyer) III V[ir]. Syd.935. 51-50 BCE.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: religion, goddess, priestess, republic, money
Seated Vestal, silver denarius
Reverse: inscribed VESTALIS for moneyer C. Clodius Vestalis. Worn image of a Vestal Virgin holding a culullus (ritual cup) in one hand. 41 BCE [label: 39 BCE].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: religion, priestess, republic, money
Libertas, silver denarius
Veiled head of Liberty, inscribed on left: C. CASSI[us] IMP[erator]; on right: LEIBERTAS. Reverse: pitcher and lituus above inscription: LENTVLVS / SPINT[er]. Moneyers C. Cassius Longinus and P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther. c. 42 BCE. Syd. 1305.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: religion, goddess, republic, money
Victory, silver denarius
Obverse: bust of crowned and bejeweled Victory with wings; on left inscribed: S[enatus] C[onsulto]. T. Carisius, Moneyer. Rome. c. 46 BC. Syd. 985.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: religion, goddess, republic, money
Apollo, silver
denarius
Obverse: laureate head of Apollo wearing hair in knot with two locks on his neck; small lyre behind. Reverse: frontal image of Diana Lucifera standing facing right, holding lighted long torch in each hand, with bow and quiver on her shoulder; inscription on left: M . F; on right: P. CLODIVS. 42 BCE. Syd. 1117.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: religion, gods, republic, money
Gallia, silver denarius
Obverse: head of a captive woman of Gaul with long and tangled hair; on left a Gallish trumpet. Reverse: frontal image of Diana of Ephesus, standing dressed in a gown and holding a stag in one hand, a long spear in the other. Inscription on left worn away: SASERNA; on right: L HOSTILIVS. 48 BCE. Syd. 953
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: religion, goddess, republic, money, province
Africa, gold aureus
Africa reclines on the reverse with a cornucopia and serpent beside her and the inscription AFRICA before her. The obverse contains an image of a bare-headed and lightly bearded Hadrian facing left, with the inscription HADRIANVS before him and AVG CO[n]S[ul] III P[ater] P[atriae] behind him. From the series of Province coins issued by Hadrian. 134-8 CE.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009.
Keywords: emperor, empire, money
Portrait head polychrome mosaic
Young woman of the upper classes. Roman. From Pompeii. 1st century CE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: costume, women, jewelry, empire
Marcus Junius Brutus marble
Portrait head of the assassin of Caesar (side view). Roman. c. 30 BCE
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2010
Keywords: Republic, politics, civil war
Lucius Junius Brutus marble
Portrait (face) bust of the founder of the Republic (side view). Roman. Trajanic era (98-117 CE).
Naples, National Archaeological Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2010
Keywords: Republic, politics, civil war
Older Woman marble
Once called Agrippina, mother of Nero. An unknown elite female. Side view; Portrait head. Roman. 60-70 CE
Minneapolis, Institute of Arts. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011
Keywords: clothing, class, empire, funerary
Draped Woman terracotta tondo
A half-figure relief of a noblewoman posed as Pietas; holes visible for earrings now gone. Roman. 2nd century CE
Minneapolis, Institute of Arts. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011
Keywords: clothing, class, empire, funerary
Draped Bust marble
Unknown noblewoman whose hairstyle places her in the Hadrianic period. c. 130-140 CE
Paris, Louvre. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: class, empire, dress
Female Head Bronze
The young girl's hair is worn in a plain style; the head is in imitation of a 4-1 century BCE statue, probably funerary. 1st century CE.
Paris, Louvre. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: funerary, empire, sculpture
Girl with a mirror Terracotta
Statuette of a woman in a long gown, fixing her hair while gazing in a box mirror propped on her knee. Greek. Centuripe. 3-2nd century BCE.
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Credits: Ann Raia, 2006
Keywords: toilette, Magna Graecia, dress
Young Girl Bronze figurine
Seated, she contemplates something she once held in her hand. From Rome, in imitation of a Hellenistic original.
Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: women, dress, sculpture
Female Portrait Head marble
Young woman's face and elegant hairstyle reflect her elite status and a skilled sculptor. The head was originally placed on a herm shaft, a dedication at the Sanctuary of Diana at Nemi who was known to protect the young. 1st century CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: class, empire, hair, religion
Staia Quinta marble
Portrait bust of a young woman with an elegant hairstyle placed on a tall herm shaft of grey marble, inscribed: STAIA L[UCI] l[IBERTA] QUINTA in the Sanctuary of Diana at Nemi. It is questioned whether the bust belongs to the herm. 1st century CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: class, empire, hair, religion
Seated girl terracotta, painted mould statuette
The young girl sits on a rock outcropping, her hair braided and pulled back in a bun. Reflection of daily life. From Tanagra (Boeotia). Greek. Late 4th century BCE.
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: women, Hellenistic, sculpture
Lovers terracotta, painted mould statuette
The couple stands facing the viewer, embracing. Roman. From Myrina. 25 BCE-CE.
Paris, Louvre. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: love, Greco-Roman, sculpture
Old Woman, marble
The head, perhaps of a nurse, was once fitted into a statue, now lost. A generic study of old age common to the Hellenistic period, it is a Roman copy of a 3-2 century BCE original.
London, British Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2010
Keywords: work, class, age, sculpture, Greek
Standing Woman, marble
A veiled and closely draped modest young woman, expensively dressed (side view). A funerary or honorary statue. From Turkey. 130-100 BCE.
Glasgow, Selingrove Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: class, sculpture, domestic, monument
Tombstone of a couple, marble
Within a niche are portrait heads of the freedpersons Anteros and Myrsine. Inscribed: A[ulus] PINARIVS A[uli] L[ibertus] ANTEROS OPPIA C[aiae] L[iberta] MYRSINE. Mid to late Augustan period.
Rome, Altemps Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: death, sculpture, class, freedwoman
Tombstone of a family, marble
A niche containing half-figure portrait busts of a husband and wife in civic dress, clasping right hands (dextrarum iunctio), seated beside a veiled young woman, probably their daughter. No inscription. 40-30 BCE.
Rome, Altemps Museum. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: death, sculpture, marriage
Lar fresco
Lar carrying a drinking horn and a wine bucket. Probably the first of several figures in a horizontal mural in a lararium. Pompeii. 1st century CE
Minneapolis, Institute of Arts. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011
Keywords: religion, empire, house
Cinerary Chest marble
Carved in the shape of a house with its cover (not original to chest) simulating a roof, this expensive box for ashes is covered with images of rebirth (garlands and fruit) and regeneration as well as of death (harpies on the front corners). Side with patera. Side with urceus. Inscribed for D. Aemilius Chius and Hortensia Phoebe, freedpersons, it would have sat in a niche in a tomb. Roman. 1st century CE. CIL 6.11033.
Minneapolis, Institute of Arts. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011
Keywords: funerary, sculpture, class,
Mummy mask painted plaster
Expressive face of a young woman. Fayum. 2nd century CE
Minneapolis, Institute of Arts. Credits: Ann Raia, 2011
Keywords: funerary, empire, Egypt
Female Portrait Head marble
Aristocratic young woman with a braided turban hairstyle (side view). Roman. 300-310 CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: class, empire, fashion
Female Portrait Head marble
Possibly imperial woman (early Antonine) with a hairstyle like that of Faustina Maior (side view): hair is parted in the center and combed back in waves where it is braided and piled in five layers on the top of the head. Roman. Mid-2nd century CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: class, empire, fashion
Female Portrait Head marble
Older woman with a veil or cap over her hair parted in the center and worn in a thin braid in back (side view). Roman. Beginning 3rd century CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: class, empire, fashion
Couple on tombcover limestone
The wife is veiled, wears a headband and is closely draped; she wears the symbols of her status as manager of the home: a key and 2 distaffs, one for wool and one for linen. The male is either a young husband or a son. Palmyra. 150 CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: marriage, death, empire, woman, East, weaving
Family tombcover limestone
Grandfather Yarhibole, son cavalry officer, girl child between them Belta. Aramaic script. Palmyra. 160-70 CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: death, empire, East
Woman on tombcover limestone
Veiled noblewoman wearing a headband and ear jewelry holds spindles for weaving. She is flanked by Lionhead door knockers: the gates to the underworld. Palmyra. 120 CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: death, empire, East
Woman on tombcover limestone
Veiled and carrying a distaff, Ala, daughter of Yarkai Abah, wears a headband, earrings and a brooch with a rosette on her gown. Aramaic script. Palmyra. 113 CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: death, empire, East, jewelry
Seated woman on tombcover limestone
On the left half of a large broken tombcover Aabi, the veiled wife of the priest Malku sits on a Roman wicker basket chair as at a banquet; she wears a headband and a brooch with a rosette on her gown (angle view). Palmyra. 147 CE
Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Credits: Ann Raia, 2008
Keywords: death, empire, East, jewelry
Funerary Tablet marble
Dedicated by Cartilia Materna,a freedwoman, it is inscribed to her husband, Lucius Arruntius Hermes, her son, Marcus Cornelius Vicanus, and to Lucius Arruntius Hilarus, her freedmen & women and their children. Broken at the sides, it is decorated with a drinking cup between DIS and MANIBUS and on the top and bottom with a rich border, with measurements on either side for size of the plot and an inscription at the bottom that ownership of the monument would not transfer to heirs (HMHNS).
end 1st-beginning 2nd century CE. Rome, Tabularium (Capitoline). Credits: Ann Raia, 2007
Keywords: death; class, women
Go to Images Part I; Images Part II; Images Part III; Images Part IV; Images Part V; Images Part VI; Images Part VII; Images Part VIII; Images Part IX; Images Part XI; Images Part XII
January 2011
