Images

This bronze head comes from a larger than life size statue. The statue probably stood in a public space in Roman London, perhaps in the forum. It may have been put up to commemorate Hadrian's visit to Britain in 122 CE, during which he ordered...

The settlement and monastery at Wadi Sarga were excavated in 1919 by the Byzantine Research Fund. This jug has a large human face on either side, formed from a molded clay, with incised and painted details. Coptic, 5th to 7th centuries CE...

Stools were the most common pieces of furniture used in ancient Egypt. This ivory leg was probably attached to a frame by means of a leather thong lashed through the holes. From its cylinder shape, it was likely to have been the front leg...

The jar was precious, not only because of the golden handles, but also because of the material it is made of; malachite. Only one other example is known. It came from the tomb of pharaoh Djer, making it likely that this example also came...

This handle features a bust of Juno, below which is a seated figure of Mercury, and in the lower register, Bucchus and Ariadne. This fragment was part of a silver vessel. Some of these fragments of highly decorated silver vessels, perhaps...

One of the Egyptian king's principal duties was to defend and expand the borders of Egypt. This ivory label, once tied to a pair of sandals, depicts king Den smiting a foreigner from the east. Rock carvings of Den near the turquoise mines...

This ivory pyxis (round box) shows the saint Menas with camels. His shrine near Alexandria in Egypt was a popular pilgrim site in the Byzantine Empire. Menas, an Egyptian soldier, was executed by Emperor Diocletian (reigned 284-305 CE) for...

While Christianity was the state religion of the Byzantine Empire, pagan imagery remained popular. Knowledge of classical literature, which often portrayed the lives of pagan gods and heroes, was considered a sign of culture and good education...

While Christianity was the state religion of the Byzantine Empire, pagan imagery remained popular. Knowledge of classical literature, which often portrayed the lives of pagan gods and heroes, was considered a sign of culture and good education...

This small circular relief shows Hercules wrestling Anteus. This fragment was part of a silver vessel. Some of these fragments of highly decorated silver vessels, perhaps from a temple treasure, were found in 1747 CE. All the decoration is...