Ancients

[skunkbear]

Beautiful reconstructed hominin skulls — the early members of humanity’s family tree! You can see lots more on the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Flickr page.

[augustus-in-the-fields]

19.05.13-altemps-04 by twistan on Flickr.

[celestialbod-ee]

[fuckyeahmsp]

I was just wrapped up in my nihilistic, dark empire of greatness.

James Dean Bradfield talking about coming off stage at Glastonbury in 1994. (via fuckyeahmsp)

[myhistoryblog]

Tempio della Concordia, Valle dei Templi, Agrigento, Sicily 074 by tango- on Flickr.

[ancientpeoples]

Gladiator figurine of bone or ivory

Roman Britain, 1st-2nd century AD From Lexden, Colchester

This figurine depicts a gladiator of the heavily-armedmurmillo class. Naked, but for a loin cloth and reinforced belt, he is armed with a large visored helmet, a short sword, a curved rectangular shield, metal greaves to protect his legs, and a heavy guard on his sword arm. Appropriately, a scene of gladiatorial combat is carved on the shield.

These gladiators were often matched with the retiariuswho carried only a net and trident. A pairing like this was intended to produce an entertaining contest between the lightly-armed, but highly manouevrable retiarius and the heavily-armed but less mobile secutor.

Source: British Museum

[jeannepompadour]

Murals from the tomb of Userhat, reign of Seti I

[proteus7-deactivated20180615]

[mini-girlz]

Statuette of an Enthroned Figure

1st century A.D.

Roman

Bronze, silver inlay

15.5 x 8.1 x 9.5 cm (6 1/8 x 3 3/8 x 3 3/4 in.)

This statuette is thought to depict Concordia, the Roman personification of harmony, one of the four principal virtues of the Roman Empire. Concordia sits on a high-backed throne and wears an ornamental headband, a long tunic tied above her waist, and a cloak, which drapes over her left shoulder and lap. The figure likely held a libation dish in her extended right hand and a cornucopia (horn of plenty) in her missing left hand.

via > artic.edu

[archaicwonder]

Egyptian Bronze Scepter Finial, New Kingdom, Dynasty XIX, 1307-1196 BC

Cast in the form of a jackal head, the eyes inlaid in obsidian and white stone, presumably limestone.

[ancientpeoples]

Copper brooch of a panther 

Its spots are inlays of silver. It is 3.4cm high and 6.3cm long (1 5/16 x 2 1/2 inch). 

Most likely from Roman Britan or Gaul 

Roman, 2nd or 3rd century AD. 

Source: Metropolitan Museum

[ancientpeoples]

Stone panel from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II (Court D, no. 7)

Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), northern Iraq Neo-Assyrian

c. 883-859 BC

This relief panel comes from the walls of the courtyard which led to the throne room of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BC). It was positioned next to a side-door through which his throne was sometimes visible.

Although many of the sculptures decorating the palace depicted magical spirits, away from the main central door and buttresses the scenes in the courtyard were secular. This scene was part of series showing a group of foreigners bringing tribute. Their dress shows that they were from the west. The turban suggests one man is from north-western Syria, his clenched fists are a token of submission. At this time Assyria was expanding westward to acquired booty and tribute from states in the geographical region of Syria. The man with monkeys may be Phoenician. They bring luxury goods and status symbols. The monkeys may have come from Egypt or from the lands of southern Arabia from which incense was imported.

Mesopotamian kings prided themselves in the collections of exotic animals they acquired as booty or tribute. Monkeys were popular animals in the art of Mesopotamia. They were often depicted playing musical instruments, perhaps representing animals accompanying travelling entertainers. 

Source: British Museum

[pearlopium]

[hismarmorealcalm]

Object from the British Museum  Sculptural fragment from the Parthenon Photographer W.A. Mansell & Co.  circa 1870 Albumen silver print 

[records-of-fortune]

Inside the so-called tomb of Clytemnestra. tholos tomb, Mycenae. c.1300-1200 BC. 

Although the association of this tomb with Agamemnon’s wife, Clytemnestra, is a modern one, archaeological finds from within the tomb do suggest that a woman was buried here.

(by archer10 (Dennis))

[classicsenthusiast]

[centuriespast]

Funerary bust of Aqmat, daughter of Hagagu, descendant of Zebida, descendant of Ma’an, with Palmyrenian inscription. Stone, late 2nd century CE. From Palmyra, Syria.