Album British Museum from Alan H

Ceramic Wall Tiles

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 18:01:03 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Group of twenty glazed ceramic tiles, originally from two buildings.
Date: 15th - 16th century (Ming Dynasty)

Buddha

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 17:20:49 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Stoneware figure of Budai Hesheng.
Date: 1486

Large Urn

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 17:20:48 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Nail through Ankle Bone

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 17:20:46 +0000

Alan H has posted:

One of the most extreme execution practices in the Roman world was crucifixion. Such a prolonged and painful death was reserved for the enslaved and free non-citizens. These remains belong to an adult male who is the only probable crucifixion victim discovered in Roman Britain. One anklebone still holds the iron nail with which he was transfixed. Citizen soldiers gave up their rights when they enlisted, making crucifixion for desertion or cowardice an ever-present threat for troops.
Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire
AD 100-200

From the 'Legion - Life in the Roman Army' exhibition.

Roman Armour

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 17:20:44 +0000

Alan H has posted:

The earliest known fragments of segmental armour were found in Kalkriese, at the site of the landmark Roman defeat at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in AD 9. It comprises 30 plates, with brass edges and tin- and silver-foiled embellishments. Previously, no complete or nearly complete set of lorica segmentata had ever been discovered.

From the 'Legion - Life in the Roman Army' exhibition.

Crocodile Armour

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 17:20:43 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Crocodile-skin armour possibly dating to the 3rd century AD. Its crocodile scalp headdress may have been intended either for protective or ceremonial use, it seems wide enough to fit over a helmet, so may even be a local adaptation of the tradition of Roman standard-bearers and trumpeters wearing skins of fierce animals over their helmets.

From the 'Legion - Life in the Roman Army' exhibition.

Roman Shield Boss

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 17:20:40 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Copper alloy rectangular shield centre with circular boss, coated with tin, and decorated by incised and pounced lines. The central boss is decorated with an eagle holding an olive branch and surrounded by a wreath. The border is of 8 panels. In each corner is a figure representing one of the Four Seasons; above is Mars, below a bull, the badge of the 8th Legion. In the margins are two legionary standards, and the following words incised into the metal along the left side:
LEG VIII AVG
IVL(II) MAGNI IVNI(I) DUBITATI

The shield thus belonged to Junius Dubitatus, who served in the century of Julius Magnus in the Eighth Legion Augustus, in Britain under Hadrian. It was discovered in 1866 during dredging to widen and deepen the River Tyne. It is believed it was lost in a shipwreck.
It is believed that Junius was an ordinary soldier in the Eighth Legion, based in Germany and sent over to Britain to provide extra manpower for a war against the native Britons. It looks likely that Junius was heading into the Tyne from Germany when a storm broke and his ship sank. No trace of the vessel has ever been found and no-one knows what became of Junius although it is likely he went down with the ship.

From the 'Legion - Life in the Roman Army' exhibition.

Roman Army Shield

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 17:20:39 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Despite the countless number made, this is the only surviving Roman legionary shield (scutum). It is from Rome's Syrian frontier where the dry climate preserved the wood and its painted leather surface, but its semi-circular shape is now more curled. Found at the Roman city of Dura-Europos, in modern-day Syria, this unique survival from the 3rd century AD is painted with victorious and regimental symbols: an eagle, Victories and a lion.

From the 'Legion - Life in the Roman Army' exhibition.

Statue Head

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:53:08 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Of the Roman Emperor Augustus. Probably made in Egypt, 27-25 BC. Discovered in Meroe, Sudan in 1910.
British Museum.

Sebetti Gods

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:53:04 +0000

Alan H has posted:

These gods were protective spirits in ancient Assyria. Using laser techniques the original colour has been added to this gypsum wall panel.
North Palace, Ninevah, Iraq, 645-640 BC.

From the I am Ashurbanipal exhibition, British Museum.

Aztec Mask

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:53:06 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Using a human skull as a base the mask consists of a mosaic of turquoise, lignite and shell. AD 1400-1521.
British Museum.

Moai

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:53:01 +0000

Alan H has posted:

These large stone sculptures or moai were made on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) between AD 1100 and 1600. This one is named Hoa Hakananai'a ('lost or stolen friend') and it is believed it dates to around AD 1200.
British Museum.

Gladiator's Helmet

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 16:49:47 +0000

Alan H has posted:

The bronze helmet of the Murillo was heavy (3.5kg) and heavily protected with a broad brim, angular crest and visored front with two eye gratings. Above the brim of the helmet is a small bust of Hercules, the embodiment of bravery. When new the helmet had a golden sheen and was decorated with plumes.
Roman, 1st century AD, probably from Italy.

British Museum, London.

Glazed Brick Panel

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 16:44:17 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Showing a roaring lion from the throne room of King Nebuchadnezzar II.
Babylon, 605 to 562 BC.

British Museum, London.

Lucius Mammius Maximus

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:39:58 +0000

Alan H has posted:

This bronze statue was found in the theatre of Herculaneum in the early 1730s. Lucius Mammius Maximus was a wealthy benefactor of the city, who paid for public buildings and statues. He wears a toga, a Roman citizen's formal dress, and strikes the classic pose of a Roman politician making a speech to the people. But, in common with many people in Herculaneum and Pompeii, he was a freedman (ex-slave).
AD41-54

Part of the 'Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum' exhibition in the British Museum, London.
April 2013.

Lucius Mammius Maximus

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:39:52 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Equestrian Statue

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:39:36 +0000

Alan H has posted:

This marble statue of a youth on horseback appears to represent a Roman prince of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. It was restored in the 16th century by the Italian Renaissance architect and sculptor, Giacomo della Porta.
Farnese Collection.
Rome, perhaps 1st century AD.

British Museum, London.
April 2013.

Tauroctony

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:39:28 +0000

Alan H has posted:

The tauroctony scene is the cult depiction of the Mithraic religion. It shows Mithras killing a bull, hence the name 'tauroctony', given to the scene in modern times. Mithraism was a mystery religion practiced in the Roman Empire from about the 1st to 4th centuries AD.

Said to be found in Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli, Italy.
2nd century AD.

British Museum, London.
April 2013.

Lictor

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:39:22 +0000

Alan H has posted:

This bronze figure of a lictor (or magistrate's attendant) wears a toga and carries the fasces (bundle of rods) with axe symbolising the magistrate's authority.
20BC - 20AD

British Museum, London.
April 2013.

Bust of Germanicus Caesar

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan H) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:39:19 +0000

Alan H has posted:

Sardonyx cameo - portrait bust, possibly of Germanicus Caesar wearing a cuirass and laurel wreath.
About 14-50AD.

British Museum, London.
April 2013.