This is a terracotta oil lamp featuring a murmillo gladiator. We can identify the gladiator with his distinctive helmet with a fish-scale like protrusion on the top.

This partially preserved blue glass cup features a relief of fighting gladiators. An inscription above the figurative scene names the gladiator. The cup was made between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.

These are two examples of graffitti left on the wall of a house. They date to the second half of the 2nd century CE. We cannot say for sure but they are either secutors or murmillos. However, we know that their helmets covered their faces to protect…

The Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls of Lugdunum was built in 19 CE and financed by C. Julius Rufus, a citizen of the city of Mediolanum Santonum (Saintes, France), priest of Rome and Augustus, as evidenced by a dedicatory inscription. It was part of…

This mosaic includes two tragic theatre masks surrounded by vines and fruit. It was found in Pompeii's House of the Faun. The imagery likely refers to Dionysus, god of theatre and wine.

This mosaic includes two tragic theatre masks surrounded by vines and fruit. It was found in Pompeii's House of the Faun. The imagery likely refers to Dionysus, god of theatre and wine.

This mosaic depicts two women consulting a sorceress. All three figures wear theatre masks as they sit around the table. Vases are placed on the table suggesting that the sorceress may be conjuring potions with the help of her young assistant on the…

This vivid mosaic captures actors in a comedy. They wear comedic masks and brilliantly colored clothing as they play music in the street. This mosaic, like others from the Villa of Cicero, is signed by Dioskourides of Samos. It dates to the first…

The small theatre a small roofed Odeon used for musical and singing performances as well as for miming, the most popular theatrical genre at the time. The building had a seating capacity of about 1,500.

The Large Theatre was a huge 5000-seat theatre built in the Greek type and carved into the natural slope of the hill. During the reign of Augustus (27 BCE - 14 CE), the theatre was significantly restored and enlarged according to the Roman style.…