r/ancientrome

Mummy portrait of a strikingly modern-looking male subject from Roman Egypt, Flavian Period, circa late 1st century AD, sold at Sotheby's in January 2026 for $889,000

Everyone I assume is familiar with this incredible scale model of Ancient Rome. Having been to Rome a couple times, I know there is a fair amount of tree canopy and some places where there is absolutely none

My question is: does the history give us any sense what Ancient Rome’s tree canopy was like? I understand that models like this were more focused on the layout of where things were and less on other topographical features or even how colorful the buildings may or may not have been, I’m just curious if there are any contemporary writings that tell us what it may have been like, especially during a hot Roman summer

The Triumphal Arch of Orange, France. Built during the reign of Augustus - and later dedicated to Tiberius -, it’s one of the oldest and best-preserved three-arched Roman triumphal arches in existence.

The level of detail still visible on the reliefs is absolutely mind-blowing—you can clearly see naval spoils, battle scenes against the Gauls, and Roman soldiers. Truly a massive piece of history standing right in the middle of a modern town.

A Roman dodecahedron, which has puzzled people for years as to what it was used for. “About 60 objects of this type are known, most of them found in France within Celtic territory. They are hollow bronze objects with twelve equal faces (dodecahedrons). Each face features a circular opening of varying size. What was their purpose? Archaeologists have long pondered this question, yet no satisfactory answer has been found! Were they decorative objects, game pieces, measuring instruments, or perhaps gauges for jewelers?
As with many enigmatic objects, a religious function has been proposed. Some were placed in graves. They may be linked to astronomy: the dodecahedron could represent the sphere of the universe, with its 12 faces symbolizing the signs of the Zodiac and the months of the year, and its 30 edges representing the days of the month.” Per the Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière in Lyon, France (using google translator), where this is on display.

Gereconstrueerde tempel in het Archeologisch Park in Xanten.

This is a brilliant book that I feel does not get much attention compared to others.

The insight into military tactics and logistics is captivating. Definitely worth a read.

They used this shape in both directions, and no, the Romans didn't call it a swastika. I don't have hard proof on hand for my next point, but I'm pretty sure time-traveling Nazis had nothing to do with it.

(Marked NSFW for nudity) 

This opus vermiculatum mosaic from the Farnese Collection depicts a siren draped from her mid-torso, holding a hydria in her right hand, and supporting what appears to be a platter (with an unidentified object) on her head with the other. She wears golden bracelets on both wrists and a band-like necklace. By her feet, a small bird flies with its wings outstretched. In the top right is a Cupid wearing anklets holding a 3-legged stand/ornament/vase(?) with a rounded top. 

Greek hydriai have three handles: two horizontal ones on opposite sides below the shoulder and a longer vertical one (in between the former pair) connecting from the shoulder to the lip/neck. The one depicted in the mosaic appears to only have one handle and more closely resembles a (Roman style) pitcher/urceus. (examples: 1, 2, 3) 

The Sirens, daughters of the river god Achelous and one of the Muses, are described as young women/maidens with the plumage and feet of birds. 

Quotes on the sirens (in original Latin + Greek): 

>“[...] vobis, Acheloides, unde pluma pedesque avium, cum virginis ora geratis? [...] facilesque deos habuistis et artus vidistis vestros subitis flavescere pennis. Ne tamen ille canor mulcendas natus ad aures tantaque dos oris linguae deperderet usum, virginei vultus et vox humana remansit.” (Ovid, Metamorphoses, 5.552-562) 

>“ἄλλοι γε μὴν ποικίλοι καὶ οὐ πάνυ τι τὸ εἶδος εὔρητοι, μελῳδίαν δὲ καὶ εὐστομίαν καὶ εὐγλωττίαν ἄμαχοι, ὡς εἶναι, εἰ μή πη καὶ τραχύτερόν ἐστιν εἰπεῖν, Σειρῆνάς τινας. κατάπτεροι γὰρ ὡς ἦσαν αἱ τοῦ μύθου κόραι, ποιηταί τε ᾄδουσιν καὶ ζωγράφοι δεικνύουσιν.” (Aelian, De Natura Animalium, 17.23) 

>“αἱ δὲ Σειρῆνες ἦσαν Ἀχελῴου καὶ Μελπομένης μιᾶς τῶν Μουσῶν θυγατέρες, Πεισινόη Ἀγλαόπη Θελξιέπεια. τούτων ἡ μὲν ἐκιθάριζεν, ἡ δὲ ᾖδεν, ἡ δὲ ηὔλει, καὶ διὰ τούτων ἔπειθον καταμένειν τοὺς παραπλέοντας. εἶχον δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν μηρῶν ὀρνίθων μορφάς.” (Apollodorus, Epitome, 7.18-19)

This Siren as a hydrophoros (“water-bearer”; or some other type of -phoros…) seems to reinforce her connection to the water whilst transforming her into a quotidian figure of religious or domestic ritual. 

(Despite many attempts to figure out what she might be carrying on her head, the most I could interpret was it being a vegetal ornament like a garland. If anyone has suggestions as to what it might be, please let me know! I was also unsure of the 3-legged vase/decorative ornament(?) that the Cupid is holding.)

At the time of his death—most likely due to poisoning—he was preparing to advance into the Italian Peninsula. Just one year earlier, in 1480, the Ottoman army had captured the fortress of Otranto. Having already conquered Constantinople and brought the Eastern Roman Empire under his rule, he had turned his attention toward Rome itself. Given these circumstances, would it be reasonable to regard him as a Roman Emperor?

After all, throughout history, the title of Roman Emperor has been held by people of different ethnic backgrounds and religions. It is also worth noting that the Eastern Roman Empire was never called the "Byzantine Empire" during its own existence. Its people consistently identified themselves as Romans, and the term "Byzantine Empire" was only introduced much later by Western historians, most notably by the German historian Hieronymus Wolf in 1557.

Personally, I believe this later terminology may have contributed to distancing the Eastern Roman Empire from the title of "Roman Empire," making it easier to deny later rulers—such as Mehmed II—the claim to the title of Roman Emperor.

I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on this, and I hope we can discuss the topic respectfully.

Zeus’s eagle with open wings carrying the boy to the sky on the large mosaic depicting “The abduction of Ganymedes”

Third panel depicting Orpheus playing the lyre among the wild beasts: Orpheus and the Beasts

Close up of Orpheus mosaic

First panel on the large mosaic depicting “The abduction of Ganymedes”

Peacock in the mosaic of the Nave

Mosaic depicting various objects and animals

Mosaic depicting wild animals

Fragment of mosaic showing the frieze above the figures

Mosaic panel showing a Maenad, Dionysus & Ariadne and Silenus

Floor mosaic showing peacock figures and an inscription made by a slave thanking God after his freedom and emancipation

Phoenix rising

Central panel showing Europa and the Bull

Comedy by menander

Comedy by menander act 2

3D virtual reconstruction of early Rome, traditionally associated with Romulus and Remus, at the end of the 8th century BC. Work created for the illustrated book "De Troya a Roma. La historia tras el mito", published by Desperta Ferro Ediciones (2026). Author: Pablo Aparicio Resco (source)

Sorry for the poor photography. Definitely not my strong suit.

Anyhow, these photos are from Chester’s Fort and the adjacent baths, in northern England.
As an American, and a western American at that, I was fascinated by the sheer age of it all, being so many centuries older than any extant building in my state.
It was very cool to see how the Romans brought so much of their home life, like their culture and religion, so far away from home. It must have really helped the soldiers stationed there to feel comfortable.

The lost Aquilas, finding them, it’s unlikely as hell, but this would make Richard III’s grave in a parking lot look like finding a penny on the beach.