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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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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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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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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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Mosaic depicting theatrical masks of Tragedy and Comedy , Roman mosaic dating from the 2nd century AD

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Mosaic depicting theatrical masks of Tragedy and Comedy , Roman mosaic dating from the 2nd century AD

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Roman mosaic showing a dog and the inscription Cave canem at the entrance to the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii.

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Roman mosaic showing a dog and the inscription Cave canem at the entrance to the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii.

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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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The Zliten mosaic is a 2nd century CE Roman floor mosaic, from the town of Zliten in Libya, that depicts gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and scenes from everyday life. It's now housed at the Archaeological Museum of Tripoli

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The Zliten mosaic is a 2nd century CE Roman floor mosaic, from the town of Zliten in Libya, that depicts gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and scenes from everyday life. It's now housed at the Archaeological Museum of Tripoli

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Memento Mori, Pompeii, 1st c. BC. Mosaic emblem from the triclinium floor of a house-workshop. Known as Memento Mori , it allegorically takes up the Hellenistic philosophical theme of the transience of life and death that levels all human condition…

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Memento Mori, Pompeii, 1st c. BC. Mosaic emblem from the triclinium floor of a house-workshop. Known as Memento Mori , it allegorically takes up the Hellenistic philosophical theme of the transience of life and death that levels all human condition…

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Roman marine-life mosaic, Pompeii, c. 100 BC. The scene is a compact catalogue of over 20 Mediterranean creatures, rather than a seascape. A central octopus-versus-lobster motif, a large bass and a rock with a kingfisher are placed among other sea animals against a dark background…

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Roman marine-life mosaic, Pompeii, c. 100 BC. The scene is a compact catalogue of over 20 Mediterranean creatures, rather than a seascape. A central octopus-versus-lobster motif, a large bass and a rock with a kingfisher are placed among other sea animals against a dark background…

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Roman marine-life mosaic, Pompeii, c. 100 BC. The scene is a compact catalogue of over 20 Mediterranean creatures, rather than a seascape. A central octopus-versus-lobster motif, a large bass and a rock with a kingfisher are placed among other sea animals against a dark background…

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Roman marine-life mosaic, Pompeii, c. 100 BC. The scene is a compact catalogue of over 20 Mediterranean creatures, rather than a seascape. A central octopus-versus-lobster motif, a large bass and a rock with a kingfisher are placed among other sea animals against a dark background…

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Schist Gandharan reliefs depicting foreigners and non-Buddhists drinking, dancing, and playing music. From a Buddhist stupa site in Pakistan, c. 100 CE, now housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art

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Schist Gandharan reliefs depicting foreigners and non-Buddhists drinking, dancing, and playing music. From a Buddhist stupa site in Pakistan, c. 100 CE, now housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art

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Satirical papyrus: a lady mouse sitting elegantly, being offered a drink by one of the cats standing nearby, another cat is depicted arranging her hair, presenting a commentary on the social order, where the natural roles of animals are flipped, Tuna el-Gebel, ca. 1129-1111 BC

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Satirical papyrus: a lady mouse sitting elegantly, being offered a drink by one of the cats standing nearby, another cat is depicted arranging her hair, presenting a commentary on the social order, where the natural roles of animals are flipped, Tuna el-Gebel, ca. 1129-1111 BC

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A 1st century CE silver Roman mirror with a figurative emblem, from the treasure of the House of Menander in Pompeii, Italy. Now housed at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples

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A 1st century CE silver Roman mirror with a figurative emblem, from the treasure of the House of Menander in Pompeii, Italy. Now housed at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples

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Byzantine mosaic of a man feeding a donkey. 5th or 6th Century CE. Housed in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum in Turkey.

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Byzantine mosaic of a man feeding a donkey. 5th or 6th Century CE. Housed in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum in Turkey.

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A floor mosaic from the ancient Etruscan port city of Lattara, in southern France, depicting a galloping equine , crafted from tellin shells. 125-100 BCE, now housed at the Lattara archaeological site museum

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A floor mosaic from the ancient Etruscan port city of Lattara, in southern France, depicting a galloping equine , crafted from tellin shells. 125-100 BCE, now housed at the Lattara archaeological site museum

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The so-called "Venus in a bikini", from the House of the Bikini, Pompeii depicts her Greek counterpart Aphrodite as she is about to untie her sandal, with a small Eros squatting beneath her left arm, Naples, National Archaeological Museum

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The so-called "Venus in a bikini", from the House of the Bikini, Pompeii depicts her Greek counterpart Aphrodite as she is about to untie her sandal, with a small Eros squatting beneath her left arm, Naples, National Archaeological Museum

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Roman Mosaic showing a victorious boxer. The winner’s palm branch is held in his mouth, and his defeated opponent crouches beside him. The boxers appear to be people of short stature, commonly hired by Romans to perform and compete for their entertainment. 1stC-2ndC

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Roman Mosaic showing a victorious boxer. The winner’s palm branch is held in his mouth, and his defeated opponent crouches beside him. The boxers appear to be people of short stature, commonly hired by Romans to perform and compete for their entertainment. 1stC-2ndC

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