Ancient Rome

Ancient Glass

The use of glass evolved over the ancient periods through techniques, styles, colours and uses. The ancient Egyptians are thought to be one of the first to manufacture glass by producing small glass beads for necklaces. Originally faience was a main material used by the Egyptians for decorating and making amulets and jewellery. This was [...]

Roman Goddesses in Mythology

In terms of religion, the Romans believed in a polytheistic faith; the people recognised and worshipped multiple gods and goddesses. These supernatural being experiences were moulded into short narratives known collectively as Roman mythology. Roman deities and their linked myths were vital to ancient society, they presented educational teachings including the obedience of moral expectations, [...]

Roman Gods in Mythology

In terms of religion, the Romans believed in a polytheistic faith; the people recognised and worshipped multiple gods and goddesses. These supernatural being experiences were moulded into short narratives known collectively as Roman mythology. Roman deities and their linked myths were vital to ancient society, they presented educational teachings including the obedience of moral expectations, [...]

Religious Syncretisms in the Ancient Mediterranean Region

Military conquests and economic exchanges have been a catalyser in the diversification of the religious landscape of the Ancient Mediterranean region. Indeed, as cultures and religions met and travelled, they gave birth to new divinities, according to the phenomenon of syncretisation. These new divinities were a form of hybrids between already established gods and goddesses [...]

Animal Symbolism in Roman Art

Animal motifs appear in Roman art because of the important associations and meanings those animals carried. For some animals, such as lions and eagles, the connotations are fairly transparent, either because we still share them today or because such associations were so famous and widespread that they have not been forgotten; others, however, are far [...]

Engraved Gemstones in Ancient Rome

Mesopotamian Traditions and Roman Craftmanship Intaglios – carved gemstones – usually mounted in rings, were a popular style of Roman jewellery for their aesthetic and practical uses. The technique was established well before the Roman period, most likely in Ancient Mesopotamia. Drill cutting techniques established by the Greeks, allowed the Romans to create intricate intaglio [...]

The History and Mythology of Gemstones in Ancient Jewellery

Jewellery in Ancient Egypt Jewellery has been worn by ancient cultures around the world for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt both men and women were great lovers of jewellery and adorned themselves with a profusion of charms and amulets. Jewellery also showed wealth and status and offered protection from evil. Although the Egyptians had [...]

Apotropaic Art: Amulets and Phallic Pendants in Ancient Cultures

Across the ancient world, we find a number of pieces that would have been worn by their owners for the sake of protection – primarily amulets. Jewellery of this apotropaic nature most often takes shape in the form of pendants, and we find them in abundance from a number of civilisations, especially Egypt and Ancient [...]

Roman Medicine and Medical Tools

During the Roman Empire, bronze was the most used material for daily life objects: Romans poured melted bronze in clay moulds in order to create little artefacts. A lot of items that we use nowadays were already used in Ancient Rome. This is the case for tweezers, which were mainly used, as today, to remove unwanted hair, [...]

Roman Medicine and Medical Tools

During the Roman Empire, bronze was the most used material for daily life objects: Romans poured melted bronze in clay moulds in order to create little artefacts. A lot of items that we use nowadays were already used in Ancient Rome. This is the case for tweezers, which were mainly used, as today, to remove unwanted hair, [...]