Images

The scene on this terracotta lamp depicts a man and woman having sex. Said to be from near Naples, in modern-day Italy. Roman period, made in Italy, about 10-30 CE. (The British Museum, London).

The scene on this terracotta lamp depicts two satyrs treading grapes. From Herpes, France. Roman period, made in Italy, about 40-80 CE. Signed by the maker Gaius Clodius.(The British Museum, London).

Silver medallion showing the god Jupiter flanked by a male and a female deity. The medallion was perhaps one of a group given to a soldier to wear as a commemorative decoration. Roman period, 2nd century CE. (The British Museum, London).

A pair of gold earrings. Said to be from Bubastis, in modern-day Egypt. Roman period, 1st to 2nd century CE. (The British Museum, London).

Shown here is a detail from the Bayeux Tapestry. Though referred to as a tapestry, it is a linen cloth that features embroidery in eight different-colored wools. 11th century CE.

The scene on this terracotta lamp depicts two tragic actors (perhaps Orestes and Pylades) on a couch; a severed head lies below. Roman period, made in Italy, about 175-225 CE. Transferred from the Wellcome Collection. (The British Museum...

This medallion comes from the center of a painted panel. The woman's hairstyle suggests a date in the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus. From Pompeii, in modern-day Italy. Roman period, made about 20 BCE - 20 CE. Bequeathed by Sir William...

This rock-crystal cameo depicts a king in an Egyptian style; popular in Italy, where it was probably made. Roman period, 1st century CE. (The British Museum, London).

This panel, once identified as a music lesson, probably depicts a scene of love, set inside a house. A woman playing a kithara (a type of lyre) sits with her lover who gazes adoringly at her. From Pompeii, in modern-day Italy. Roman period...

The bronze drachm of Trajan (r. 98-117 CE) on the left, minted 112-113 CE, represents one of the denominations produced at Alexandria. The half-drachm on the right was minted in 111-112 CE at Alexandria also. (The British Museum, London).