#ancient roman

[wandering-italy]

Temple B, 101 BCE Largo di Torre Argentina

Rome, Feb. 2024

[theancientwayoflife]

~ Helmet of Gladiator.

Date: A.D. 1st century

Medium: Bronze

[wandering-cemeteries]

Ancient Roman sarcophagus depicting the myth of Selene and Endymion, 3rd Century CE.

Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Rome

Feb. 2024

[obscurevideogames]

Ancient Roman (Nihon Systems - PSX - 1998)

[artist-ellen]

The seven new historical mermaids for Mermay 2024!

Here's the new set for Mermay 2024! What do you think? Which is your favorite? <3

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram, tiktok or check out my coloring book available now \ („• ֊ •„) /

https://linktr.ee/ellen.artistic

[calabria-mediterranea]

Mosaic flooring from a Roman villa in Roggiano Gravina (1st-2nd century) at the archeological museum in Sibari, Calabria, Italy

Photo by Karen Haid

Follow us on Instagram, @calabria_mediterranea

[illustratus]

Conversation by the Spring by Henryk Siemiradzki

[katerinaaqu]

Heracles and Dionysus Drinking contest (Early 2nd AD century, Antioch, Imperial Roman mosaic)

This mosaic from an Atrium House in Antioch depicts a funny small story known in classical art as a drinking contest between Heracles (Hercules) and Dionysus (Bacchus). According to the story, Heracles challenges Dionysus in a drinking contest and of course loses. The result of their contest seems to be an anecdotal story that he joins his Thiasus for a short while.

In this mosaic we can spot Heracles naked and kneeling while chugging down from his cup (the lion mane and club resting before his knees). To the far left we can detect the figure of a double-flute playing menad while we see Dionysus casually resting upon pillows, holding a thyrsus/spear to his hand and showing his own empty cup to Heracles while being surrounded by the satyr Silenus (far right) and his cup-bearer, the little satyriscus to the center. One can also detect the golden-colored crater in the middle.

The parallels between the two figures seem to be incredible:

Both are sons of Zeus and both are arguably the youngest of their classes (Dionysus is the youngest god of the Olympians born by Zeus and Heracles according to some roman sources is the last demi-god from the last mortal lover Zeus takes)

Both are born by a mortal woman (Alcmene and Semele respectably)

Both have been induced in madness by Hera (Dionysus repeatedly while Heracles was turned mad and threw his children with Megara in the fire), and continusly targeted by the wrath of the goddess

Both become divine just in different ways (Dionysus is established as one of the 12 gods of Olympus while Heracles becomes a god post-mortem)

Both seem associated with Elysian mysteries

Both are associated one way or another with theater or role-playing (Dionysus being the god of theater among others while Heracles had at some point dress as a woman while living with Omphale)

One is associated with strength and power (Heracles) while the other is associated with art but also Madness (Dionysus)

Both are associated with the youth (Heracles for his war achievements while Dionysus is also portrayed as a youth many times)

Dionysus according to some myths is married to a god-made woman (Ariadne) while god-made Heracles marries a goddess (Hebe)

Both figures travel to the underworld (Heracles during his 12 labors when he goes to take Cerberus while Dionysus according to orphic traditions as Zagreus descends to the underworld to come back out as Dionysus through Semele)

Consequently to above, both figures suffered a painful death (Dionysus as Zagreus being torn to pieces and/or eaten by Titans, Heracles poisoned by Hydra's poison in Nessus's blood through his marital chiton and consequently burnt)

Both figures have been iconically depicted in association with a wild animal (Heracles wearing a lion skin, Dionysus either riding or wearing a leopard)

Both figures have myths that associate them with non-human creatures (Heracles having good time with the Centaurs, Dionysus being followed by Satyrs)

I find it interesting how we do not have more art or talk about these two iconic mythological figures!

[emaadsidiki]

Santa Maria Maggiore

[wandering-italy]

Streets of Pompeii.

March 2024

[theancientwayoflife]

~ Oracle statue of Aphrodite Arsinoe II.

Period: Hadrian; Greco-Roman Period

Place of origin: Egypt

Medium: Dolomite

[wandering-cemeteries]

Ancient Roman urn for cremated remains. 1st century

Found near Caserta, Italy

Currently in the National Archaeolgical Museum in Naples.

[obscurevideogames]

Ancient Roman (Nihon Systems - PSX - 1998)

[wandering-jana]

The 1st century CE Capitolium and its 1st century BCE predecessor buried underneath. A UNESCO site in Brescia, Italy

March 28, 2024

[ancientprettythings]

Peristylium and adjoining (probably) triclinium.

TBH, a little obsessed with this kind of flooring.

Herculaneum.

[illustratus]

Battle Scene by Lionel Royer