Explore the diverse breathtaking moments From urban streets to remote landscapes across the globe

Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, Rome, 176 AD. One of the greatest surviving works of Roman imperial art, it is the only large bronze imperial equestrian statue to survive, largely because M. A. was confused with Christian emperor Constantine and escaped being melted down...

ARTIFACT

Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, Rome, 176 AD. One of the greatest surviving works of Roman imperial art, it is the only large bronze imperial equestrian statue to survive, largely because M. A. was confused with Christian emperor Constantine and escaped being melted down...

ARTIFACT / Photography

The US has repatriated to Turkey one of Rome's most important surviving artifacts, the bronze statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius . The statue, which was smuggled out of Turkey, holds a special place in ancient history due to its rare depiction of Aurelius as a philosopher.

ARTIFACT

The US has repatriated to Turkey one of Rome's most important surviving artifacts, the bronze statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius . The statue, which was smuggled out of Turkey, holds a special place in ancient history due to its rare depiction of Aurelius as a philosopher.

ARTIFACT / Photography

The Farnese Hercules, Rome, c. 216 AD. A marble copy or version of a well known Greek bronze original by Lysippos from the 4th century BC. The original survived over 1500 years until it was melted down by Crusaders in 1205 during the Sack of Constantinople...

ARTIFACT

The Farnese Hercules, Rome, c. 216 AD. A marble copy or version of a well known Greek bronze original by Lysippos from the 4th century BC. The original survived over 1500 years until it was melted down by Crusaders in 1205 during the Sack of Constantinople...

ARTIFACT / Photography

A 16th century travelling communion set. The set is important because it was made and used at the time when Henry VIII had broken with Rome but still adhered, with his own modifications, to the medieval doctrine of the sacraments.

ARTIFACT

A 16th century travelling communion set. The set is important because it was made and used at the time when Henry VIII had broken with Rome but still adhered, with his own modifications, to the medieval doctrine of the sacraments.

ARTIFACT / Photography

A Hellenic or Roman marble head of a goddess statue, defaced with a Christian cross during the Late Antique period. The statue dates back to 2-1st century BC. Defaced during late Antiquity . Archaeological Museum of Samos, Greece.

ARTIFACT

A Hellenic or Roman marble head of a goddess statue, defaced with a Christian cross during the Late Antique period. The statue dates back to 2-1st century BC. Defaced during late Antiquity . Archaeological Museum of Samos, Greece.

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The Shrine of St. Patrick's Bell is a bell shrine reliquary dated to c. 1094–1105 CE, and is made of bronze, silver, gold, glass and rock crystal. It contains a c. 500 iron hand-bell which survives, and is a highpoint of Irish metalwork from the late Insular and early Romanesque periods

ARTIFACT

The Shrine of St. Patrick's Bell is a bell shrine reliquary dated to c. 1094–1105 CE, and is made of bronze, silver, gold, glass and rock crystal. It contains a c. 500 iron hand-bell which survives, and is a highpoint of Irish metalwork from the late Insular and early Romanesque periods

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This Bronze Rivet is one of the few surviving components of the Roman Pantheon's original bronze roof truss system. Thousands of pounds of bronze once decorating the portico and roof of The Pantheon were removed before 1624; melted down, or simply lost without record.

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This Bronze Rivet is one of the few surviving components of the Roman Pantheon's original bronze roof truss system. Thousands of pounds of bronze once decorating the portico and roof of The Pantheon were removed before 1624; melted down, or simply lost without record.

ARTIFACT / Photography

A bronze Roman coin minted in the ancient city of Nicomedia, in Turkey, depicting the laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of the emperor Caracalla, and on the reverse, the serpent god Glycon coiled to left, with human head and long hair. 198-217 CE

ARTIFACT

A bronze Roman coin minted in the ancient city of Nicomedia, in Turkey, depicting the laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of the emperor Caracalla, and on the reverse, the serpent god Glycon coiled to left, with human head and long hair. 198-217 CE

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Mosaic in the Basilica of San Vitale depicting one of the central examples of Byzantine art and architecture, completed in 547 A.D. It is the only major church from the period of Roman Emperor Justinians reign that survives intact.

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Mosaic in the Basilica of San Vitale depicting one of the central examples of Byzantine art and architecture, completed in 547 A.D. It is the only major church from the period of Roman Emperor Justinians reign that survives intact.

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The bracelet of Pharaoh Amenemope has been stolen by a restoration specialist at the Egyptian Museum and melted down. Dated back to 1000 BC, it contained spherical lapis lazuli beads and was sold for only $4,000 at a gold workshop in Cairo.

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The bracelet of Pharaoh Amenemope has been stolen by a restoration specialist at the Egyptian Museum and melted down. Dated back to 1000 BC, it contained spherical lapis lazuli beads and was sold for only $4,000 at a gold workshop in Cairo.

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Cordoba Mosque, Spain. Built in at least 7 phases between 784 and 987 AD, this temple still preserves the exquisite finesse of the best artisans of the time, not only Islamic, but Christian, Roman, Greek and Byzantine too. The most important religious building in the Islamic West.

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Cordoba Mosque, Spain. Built in at least 7 phases between 784 and 987 AD, this temple still preserves the exquisite finesse of the best artisans of the time, not only Islamic, but Christian, Roman, Greek and Byzantine too. The most important religious building in the Islamic West.

ARTIFACT / Photography

Bronze statuette of Sucellus, Gaulish deity associated with boundaries - of land and between living/dead - whose symbols include the mallet, wolf skin and jar. Five small mallets radiate from a large one behind him. Vienne, Isère, 1st-2nd AD, from a household shrine. Walters Art Museum

ARTIFACT

Bronze statuette of Sucellus, Gaulish deity associated with boundaries - of land and between living/dead - whose symbols include the mallet, wolf skin and jar. Five small mallets radiate from a large one behind him. Vienne, Isère, 1st-2nd AD, from a household shrine. Walters Art Museum

ARTIFACT / Photography

Bronze Doors to the Temple of Romulus, now known as The Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian. One of the few bronze doors surviving from The Roman Empire, and the locking mechanism is still functional. The porphyry columns staying in situ is also worth noting.

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Bronze Doors to the Temple of Romulus, now known as The Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian. One of the few bronze doors surviving from The Roman Empire, and the locking mechanism is still functional. The porphyry columns staying in situ is also worth noting.

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The "Cape of Charlemagne" is a large red silk cloak woven with gold on silver threads and adorned with 4 eagles, griffons and roses. The cope was probably made in 1204 CE, and was in fact the coronation mantle of Frederick II, King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor

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The "Cape of Charlemagne" is a large red silk cloak woven with gold on silver threads and adorned with 4 eagles, griffons and roses. The cope was probably made in 1204 CE, and was in fact the coronation mantle of Frederick II, King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor

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Augustus of Prima Porta, 20 BC. At over 6ft high, this statue was a complex statement of the ideas and merits he wanted to convey. It depicts the emperor addressing his soldiers, wearing a cuirass and a cloak. Augustus was both the first Roman Emperor and the one who ruled longest...

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Augustus of Prima Porta, 20 BC. At over 6ft high, this statue was a complex statement of the ideas and merits he wanted to convey. It depicts the emperor addressing his soldiers, wearing a cuirass and a cloak. Augustus was both the first Roman Emperor and the one who ruled longest...

ARTIFACT / Photography

An aureus of the Roman emperor Geta, with the reverse depicting the marriage of Bacchus and Ariadne. 198-209 CE

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An aureus of the Roman emperor Geta, with the reverse depicting the marriage of Bacchus and Ariadne. 198-209 CE

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Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, aka Brunelleschi's dome, was the largest dome in the world after the fall of the Roman Empire and is still considered the largest ever made in masonry. Conceived, designed, and built by Filippo Brunelleschi, who initiated the Florentine Renaissance...

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Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, aka Brunelleschi's dome, was the largest dome in the world after the fall of the Roman Empire and is still considered the largest ever made in masonry. Conceived, designed, and built by Filippo Brunelleschi, who initiated the Florentine Renaissance...

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