Images

A bronze lamp in the form Silenus seated on a wine-skin. Silenus was a companion to the wine-god Dionysus. Roman period, made in Italy, about 50-150 CE. Townley Collection. (The British Museum, London).

This bronze statuette probably represents cupid (god of love, attraction, and affection). Said to be from Foggia, in modern-day Italy. Roman period, 10-100 BCE. (The British Museum, London).

The scene on this terracotta lamp depicts Attis on a cult-car pulled by rams; a Corybant (a devotee of the god) is shown beyond. Said to be from Mitcham, Surrey. Roman period, made in central Italy, about 175-225 CE. (The British Museum...

A bronze tablet dedicated to Sextus Pompeius Maximus, chief priest of the cult of Mithras and president of a guild of ferrymen. The tablet was given by fellow priests of Mithras. Above the text are a bust of Mithras, a sacrificial knife...

A baby feeding bottle decorated with a dramatic mask. Said to be from Pozzuoli, in modern-day Italy. Roman period, made in Italy, about 1st century CE. Bequeathed by Sir William Temple. (The British Museum, London).

A handled flask depicting a crouching African. Roman period, probably made in Campania (in modern-day Italy) in the 1st century CE. (The British Museum, London).

The scene on this terracotta lamp depicts Isis, Harpocrates, and Anubis. The cult of the benevolent Egyptian goddess Isis was very popular in Italy. Said to be from Pozzuoli, in modern-day Italy. Roman period, made in Italy, about 50-100...

This is a gold ring with an aureus (gold coin) of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305 CE). The reverse of the coin (not shown here) shows four soldiers sacrificing in front of a camp. Roman period, 4th century CE; the coin is a modern...

These two glass medallions (phalerae) depict portraits of two princes of the Roman imperial family. Roman period, c. 20-40 CE. 1. Left: the younger Drusus, son of Emperor Tiberius (r. 14-37 CE). The medallion is set in its original mount...

Sardonyx cameo of Emperor Claudius (reigned 41-54 CE) in a military dress. Roman period, made in 41-49 CE. From the Arundel and Marlborough Collections. (The British Museum, London).