Images

A 1st century CE marble bust of Roman Emperor Domitian, r. 81-96 CE. (Musée de Louvre, Paris).

A black-figure kantharos (drinking cup) depicting Hercules and centaurs. From Boeotia, c. 550 BCE. (Antikensammlungen, Munich).

A hydria (plural: hydriai) was an ancient Greek vessel in clay or bronze used to carry water. Two horizontal handles were used to carry the vessel and one vertical handle to pour. This example is from Attica, c. 500 BCE and the main body...

The base of a cup which shows graffito - an incised mark, usually in the form of letters or numbers but also sometimes words and phrases. When such marks are painted they are called dipinto. The marks may indicate prices, trademarks and ownership...

A black-figure Lakonian kylix, c. 570-560 BCE, depicting the Titans Atlas carrying the world on his shoulders and Prometheus being tormented by an eagle sent by Zeus to eat his liver as punishment for giving mankind the gift of fire, stolen...

A portrait bust of Roman emperor Nerva, 35-98 CE. (Capitoline Museum, Rome)

A Greek ceramic plate used for serving fish and seafood. A central depression collected any excess oil. The shape was popular in both Attica and Magna Graecia. Attic dishes almost always have the fish painted with their underside towards...

A remaining section of the aqueduct built by Emperor Valens in the 4th century CE in Constantinople.

One of two monumental Medusa carvings which hold up columns in the Basilica Cistern of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). The cistern was constructed in the 6th century BCE reusing the Medusa blocks from an earlier Roman building. One Medusa...

Part of the Binbirderek cistern or Cistern of Philoxenos under Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) first built in 330 CE to hold the city's water reserves which were fed by conduits and aqueducts.