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Street Musicians mosaic, Villa of Cicero, Pompeii, ca 2nd century BC. This "emblema pavimentale" executed in opus vermiculatum from polychrome tesserae, is considered a masterpiece of ancient Roman art .

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Street Musicians mosaic, Villa of Cicero, Pompeii, ca 2nd century BC. This "emblema pavimentale" executed in opus vermiculatum from polychrome tesserae, is considered a masterpiece of ancient Roman art .

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Detail of the tympanum player , to show the level of intricacy and detail, particularly on the robe knotted around the waist. This emblema pavimentale in opus vermiculatum is considered a masterpiece of Roman art…

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Detail of the tympanum player , to show the level of intricacy and detail, particularly on the robe knotted around the waist. This emblema pavimentale in opus vermiculatum is considered a masterpiece of Roman art…

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Consultation with a Witch, mosaic emblema pavimentale in opus vermiculatum, Villa of Cicero, Pompeii, Late 2nd early 1st c. BC. It depicts a theatrical scene from the New Comedy involving three masked actors representing a sorceress and two female clients, seated around a small table…

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Consultation with a Witch, mosaic emblema pavimentale in opus vermiculatum, Villa of Cicero, Pompeii, Late 2nd early 1st c. BC. It depicts a theatrical scene from the New Comedy involving three masked actors representing a sorceress and two female clients, seated around a small table…

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Harpy, Pompeii, c. 50 AD. Mosaic emblem in opus vermiculatum from polychrome tesserae. A harpy, a woman with bird's feet and wings, depicted on a black background holds a water jug in her hand and a tray with an offering on her head. A dove and a cupid complete the scene.

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Harpy, Pompeii, c. 50 AD. Mosaic emblem in opus vermiculatum from polychrome tesserae. A harpy, a woman with bird's feet and wings, depicted on a black background holds a water jug in her hand and a tray with an offering on her head. A dove and a cupid complete the scene.

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Roman mosaic showing a comedy scene. Find in Cicero's Villa in Pompeii. Dated to the 1st century CE.

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Roman mosaic showing a comedy scene. Find in Cicero's Villa in Pompeii. Dated to the 1st century CE.

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Actors preparing for a satyr play, mosaic emblem in opus vermiculatum, House of the Tragic Poet, Pompeii, 2nd c. BC. The scene depicts a moment preceding the theatrical event: actors stand around the “choregos” , an elderly man sitting by some masks…

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Actors preparing for a satyr play, mosaic emblem in opus vermiculatum, House of the Tragic Poet, Pompeii, 2nd c. BC. The scene depicts a moment preceding the theatrical event: actors stand around the “choregos” , an elderly man sitting by some masks…

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The Roman mosaic shows a cobra. It is a fragment of a scene from the House of the Faun in Pompeii. The object is dated to 2nd BCE - 1st century CE.

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The Roman mosaic shows a cobra. It is a fragment of a scene from the House of the Faun in Pompeii. The object is dated to 2nd BCE - 1st century CE.

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Ancient Roman mosaic floor featuring Diana and Callisto surrounded by hunting scenes, 3rd century CE. Made of colored marble, limestone, and glass tesserae and discovered in Villelaure, France.

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Ancient Roman mosaic floor featuring Diana and Callisto surrounded by hunting scenes, 3rd century CE. Made of colored marble, limestone, and glass tesserae and discovered in Villelaure, France.

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Fighting roosters on the Roman mosaic in Pompeii. Cockfighting was one of the most popular pastimes of the lower social strata of ancient Rome.

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Fighting roosters on the Roman mosaic in Pompeii. Cockfighting was one of the most popular pastimes of the lower social strata of ancient Rome.

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At Persepolis in Iran, dating 518 BC, this stone lion greets the viewer with a smiling face from the front, yet as you move to the side, the same lion appears fierce and angry. It is a masterpiece of ancient Persian art that captures both serenity and aggression.

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At Persepolis in Iran, dating 518 BC, this stone lion greets the viewer with a smiling face from the front, yet as you move to the side, the same lion appears fierce and angry. It is a masterpiece of ancient Persian art that captures both serenity and aggression.

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This is the Gaddi Torso, a fragmentary ancient Roman marble sculpture from the 2nd century BCE

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This is the Gaddi Torso, a fragmentary ancient Roman marble sculpture from the 2nd century BCE

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The Hunt Mosaic from the 4th century CE Villa Romana del Tellaro in Sicily, depicting a hunting scene with a banquet in the open air among the trees. The female figure in the center is the personification of Africa

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The Hunt Mosaic from the 4th century CE Villa Romana del Tellaro in Sicily, depicting a hunting scene with a banquet in the open air among the trees. The female figure in the center is the personification of Africa

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A Roman gold snake bracelet found on the arm of a woman who was killed by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 CE near Pompeii, inscribed on the inside 'DOMINVS SVAE ANCILLAE' which means "From a master to his slave girl."

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A Roman gold snake bracelet found on the arm of a woman who was killed by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 CE near Pompeii, inscribed on the inside 'DOMINVS SVAE ANCILLAE' which means "From a master to his slave girl."

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Popular motif from Greek and Roman mythology - the depiction of lovers, Mars and Venus on a Roman fresco. The object dates back to the 1st century CE and discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

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Popular motif from Greek and Roman mythology - the depiction of lovers, Mars and Venus on a Roman fresco. The object dates back to the 1st century CE and discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

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Floor mosaic fragment with partridge. Roman, 2nd-3rd c AD. From Sousse, Tunisia, but possibly imported there from Italy. Marble tesserae. Walters Art Museum collection

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Floor mosaic fragment with partridge. Roman, 2nd-3rd c AD. From Sousse, Tunisia, but possibly imported there from Italy. Marble tesserae. Walters Art Museum collection

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Bronze Drum from the Idaean Cave. In ancient Greece, the tympanon was a type of circular, shallow tambourine, beaten with the palm of the hand or a stick. This one dates from the 8th century BC and is considered the first to appear in Greek art. It is a votive bronze disc found...

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Bronze Drum from the Idaean Cave. In ancient Greece, the tympanon was a type of circular, shallow tambourine, beaten with the palm of the hand or a stick. This one dates from the 8th century BC and is considered the first to appear in Greek art. It is a votive bronze disc found...

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Roman portrait of the baker Terentius Neo and his wife. The object was found in their villa in Pompeii and dates back to the 1st century CE. The artefact is in the collection of the Museo Archeologico di Napoli.

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Roman portrait of the baker Terentius Neo and his wife. The object was found in their villa in Pompeii and dates back to the 1st century CE. The artefact is in the collection of the Museo Archeologico di Napoli.

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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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A 2nd century BCE mosaic from Alexandria, in Egypt, depicting a rooster, a hen and her chicks, symbols of the family. Now located at villa Kérylos in France

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A 2nd century BCE mosaic from Alexandria, in Egypt, depicting a rooster, a hen and her chicks, symbols of the family. Now located at villa Kérylos in France

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