Images

The Temple of Nike, Athens, 427-424 BCE.

A stone version of a mask used in Greek comic theatre. Contorted features were typical in theatre masks and this one represents a slave. Pentellic marble (2nd century BCE). Found in Athens near the Dipylon Gate (National Archaeological Museum...

Roman mosaic depicting the fight between two equites gladiators named Simmachius and Maternus, cheered on by the lanistae. Above, Maternus, with a crossed-out O beside his name symbolizing death, lies defeated by Symmachus, whom the inscription...

Roman mosaic, showing a retiarius (net-fighter) named Kalendio and a secutor named Astyanax engaged in a fight to death. The lanista, master of gladiators, cheers them on. The outcome is shown above and confirmed by the inscriptions; the...

Roman mosaic depicting a quadriga of the factio russata (‘the Reds,’ representing the summer), 3rd century CE, from Rome. National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid.

Mosaic depicting a quadriga of the factio prasina (‘the Greens,’ representing the spring), 3rd century CE, from Rome. (National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid) The green team is victorious. Their admired steeds have performed splendidly...

Sack of Rome 455 (detail) by Karl Briullov (1799-2852 CE), Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Medallion of Totila, Ostrogoth King of Southern Italy by Giovanni Bonazza, 18th century CE, Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD

Idealised reconstruction of the Acropolis and Areus Pagus in Athens (1846 CE). Leo von Klenze (1784-1864 CE). Neue Pinakothek, Munich.

A mosaic from a large Hellenistic Period tomb at Amphipolis depicting the abduction of Persephone by Hades from Greek mythology.