Images

A gold solidus coin depicting Constantine V, emperor of the Byzantine empire between 741 and 775 CE (right) and Leo III (r. 685-741 CE)

Fresco from Herculaneum depicting a Roman banquet. Currently located in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli; accession number (inv. 9024); affresco da Ercolano, IV stile pompeiano (50-79 CE).

Imaginary portrait of Apicius, famous for his Roman cookbook De Re Coquinaria, from Alexis Soyer's 'Pantropheon'.

1541 CE manuscript of Apicius' De Re Coquinaria - a Roman cookbook - here named De Re Culinaria.

The Tjängvide image stone dating to the Viking Age found in Gotland, Sweden and probably showing Odin on his horse Sleipnir (or otherwise a dead man arriving at Odin's hall of Valhalla) on the middle-right.

Artist's depiction of the god Odin from Norse Mythology, sitting on his throne accompanied by his ravens, Huginn and Muninn, and his wolves, Geri and Freki.

Depiction by Emil Doepler from c. 1905 CE showing a scene from the Ragnarök (from Norse Mythology) in which Odin fights the wolf Fenrir. In the background are the god Freyr (on a horse) and the fire-giant Surtr.

A 13th century CE depiction of the Norwegian king Harald III, aka Harald Hardrada (r. 1046-1066 CE) at the Battle of Fulford Gate on 20 September 1066 CE. (From "The Life of King Edward the Confessor" by Matthew Paris).

A 12th century CE illustration showing the Varangian Guard defending a city. The Varangians were an elite corps of the Byzantine army and palace bodyguard from the 11th to 13th centuries CE. They were composed of Vikings and then Anglo-Saxons...

Artist's impression of Emperor Aurelian (r. 270-275 CE) in battle with Sasanid archers, as depicted in the PC game Rome II: Total War - Empire Divided.