The Flickr Viacassia Image Generatr

These pieces of furniture have been reassembled from fragments, some of which may come from the imperial villa of Lucius Verus (co-emperor, A.D. 161–169), on the Via Cassia outside Rome. It is not certain that the square glass panels are original to the bed frame and stool, but the carved bone inlays are paralleled on other Roman couches. On the couch legs are friezes of huntsmen, horses, and hounds flanking Ganymede, the handsome Trojan youth who was abducted by Zeus in the guise of an eagle to serve as his wine steward; on the footstool are scenes of winged cupids and leopards; and on the sides of the bed frame, the striking lion protomes have eyes inlaid with glass.

Roman, 1st-2nd century CE.

Met Museum (17.190.2076)

Detail of one of four portraits in a larger mosaic, each depicting a colored chariot team faction: the Blues, Reds, Whites (here), and Greens. This closeup shows more detail in the costume of the auriga (charioteer) - particularly the scrollwork and striped design on his sleeves. Other charioteers display sun and star signs, flowers, and vegetative scrolls. Each of the charioteers would drive a chariot that was brightly painted in the color of his faction. These auigae may have driven either a biga (two horse team) or a quadriga (four horse team, reserved for more experienced charioteers). The lead horse here seems to have a halter decorated in gold denti di lupo ('wolf's teeth').

Each charioteer - usually freedmen or slaves - carries a whip and wears the typical short tunic and fasciae (tied ropes around the torso, for protection), as well as a helmet, which may have been protective or merely decorative. They also wore leggings, unusual for Romans. The aurigae wrapped the reins of the horses around their waists during a race, and carried a knife to cut themselves free if things went badly wrong (*if* they had time to even react). It was a dangerous sport, but charioteers could become incredibly wealthy and famous, even if the patricians looked down their noses at these athletes, who were associated with slavery.

Found in a cubiculum (bedroom) of the Severan villa in Baccano, at the 16th mile of the Via Cassia. The villa supposedly belonged to Publius Septimius Geta, brother to the emperor Septimius Severus.

Roman
First half of the 3rd century CE

2nd-3rd century CE mosaic depicting fish, probably from a triclinium (dining room). Discovered in the Severan villa in Baccano, at the 16th mile of the Via Cassia. The villa supposedly belonged to Publius Septimius Geta, brother to the emperor Septimius Severus.

Museo Nazionale Romano, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome.

Detail of one of four portraits in a larger mosaic, each depicting a colored chariot team faction: the Blues (here), Reds, Whites, and Greens. This closeup shows more detail in the costume of the auriga (charioteer) - particularly the colorful floral patterns on his sleeves. Other charioteers display sun and star signs, stripes, and vegetative scrolls. Each of the charioteers would drive a chariot that was brightly painted in the color of his faction. These auigae may have driven either a biga (two horse team) or a quadriga (four horse team, reserved for more experienced charioteers). The lead horse here seems to have a halter decorated in gold and silver discs.

Each charioteer - usually freedmen or slaves - carries a whip and wears the typical short tunic and fasciae (tied ropes around the torso, for protection), as well as a helmet, which may have been protective or merely decorative. They also wore leggings, unusual for Romans. The aurigae wrapped the reins of the horses around their waists during a race, and carried a knife to cut themselves free if things went badly wrong (*if* they had time to even react). It was a dangerous sport, but charioteers could become incredibly wealthy and famous, even if the patricians looked down their noses at these athletes, who were associated with slavery.

Found in a cubiculum (bedroom) of the Severan villa in Baccano, at the 16th mile of the Via Cassia. The villa supposedly belonged to Publius Septimius Geta, brother to the emperor Septimius Severus.

Roman
First half of the 3rd century CE

Palazzo Massimo, Rome

This mosaic pavement depicts aurigae (charioteers) and lead horses of the four colored factions of the Circus Maximus in Rome. Clockwise from upper left, the factions are Greens, Reds, Blues, and Whites. Each charioteer - usually freedmen or slaves - carries a whip and wears the typical short tunic and fasciae (tied ropes around the torso, for protection), as well as a helmet, which may have been protective or merely decorative. They also wore leggings, unusual for Romans. The aurigae wrapped the reins of the horses around their waists during a race, and carried a knife to cut themselves free if things went badly wrong (*if* they had time to even react). It was a dangerous sport, but charioteers could become incredibly wealthy and famous, even if the patricians looked down their noses at these athletes, who were associated with slavery.

Found in a cubiculum (bedroom) of the Severan villa in Baccano, at the 16th mile of the Via Cassia. The villa supposedly belonged to Publius Septimius Geta, brother to the emperor Septimius Severus.

Roman
First half of the 3rd century CE

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome