Classical Numismatics Discussion Members' Coin Collection Photo Gallery

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Ancient Sites Photo Gallery

Israel, HerodionThe Herodion (Har Hordos) was Herod the Great’s summer palace near Jerusalem and – according to Josephus – the place of his burial. (A possible royal sarcophagus was discovered in 2007 but the identification with Herod is not certain.) There are two distinct parts: the Upper Herodion, a fortress complex set within a mountain top, and the Lower Herodion, the palace proper with several ancillary buildings (bath house, stadium, etc.) In the photograph, the Upper Herodion hill dominates the background, while the foreground shows part of a substantial colonnaded pool (70m x 45m) with a gazebo-like structure set at its centre. The area now in use as a car park would have been a formal garden in Herod’s day. Abu Galyon

Italy, Rome, Arch of Constantinecommemorate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius
built in 315
inscription:
IMP · CAES · FL · CONSTANTINO · MAXIMO · P · F · AVGUSTO · S · P · Q · R · QVOD · INSTINCTV · DIVINITATIS · MENTIS · MAGNITVDINE · CVM · EXERCITV · SVO · TAM · DE · TYRANNO · QVAM · DE · OMNI · EIVS · FACTIONE · VNO · TEMPORE · IVSTIS · REM-PVBLICAM · VLTVS · EST · ARMIS · ARCVM · TRIVMPHIS · INSIGNEM · DICAVIT
1 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Colosseumbuilt between 70 AD and 80 AD1 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Temple of Saturnfounded between 501 BC and 498 BC.
The present ruins are from last incarnation in 283 AD.

Silver and gold was stored there in republic times.
J. B.

Italy, Rome, Arch of Septimius Severusbuilt in 203 AD to commemorate the Parthian victories1 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Colosseum50000 spectators

It has been estimated that about 500000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Colosseum games.J. B.

Italy, Rome, ColosseumJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Pons FabriciusOldest bridge in Rome - built in 62 BC and still existing in its original state.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Temple of Apollo SosianusName derives from its final rebuilder: Gaius Sosius.
Construction begun in 34 BC.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Porticus OctaviaeBuilt by Augustus in the name of his sister, Octavia Minor, after 27 BC.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Circus Maximus600m x 200m
+- 320000 spectators
last race in 549 ADJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Arch of Titusbuilt by Domitianus
commemorate victory of Titus in Jerusalem in the first Jewish–Roman War1 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Pantheonbuilt by Agrippa 27 BC
rebuilt by Hadrian into present shape in 123 AD

remains of Neptune's basilicaJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Pantheonbuilt by Agrippa 27 BC
rebuilt by Hadrian into present shape in 123 AD

M AGRIPPA L F COS TERTIVM FECIT

In 609 panteon was converted into church of St. Mary and the Martyrs.1 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Mausoleum of Hadrian and Pons Aeliusbuilt between 135 AD and 139 AD
bridge was built in 134 AD

Hadrian and Sabina,
Antoninus Pius and Faustina,
Lucius Verus,
Marcus Aurelius,
Commodus,
Septimius Severus and
Caracalla were buried here.J. B.

Italy, Ostia - theatrerebuilt by CommodusJ. B.

Italy, Ostia - J. B.

Italy, Ostia - house near forumJ. B.

Italy, Ostia - J. B.

Italy, Rome, Baths of Caracallabuilt between 212 AD and 216 AD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baths_of_CaracallaJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Temple of Venus Genetrixchurch of Santi Luca e Martina; curia; arch of Septimius Severus
... I think so many different types of building in the one picture you can find only in Rome.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Basilica Ulpia and Trajan's columnChurch of the Most Holy Name of Mary at the Trajan Forum in the background.1 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, sarcophagus Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

there is also great collection of roman coins.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Colosseum3 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Arch of Constantine with Colosseum in the background2 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Colosseum with arch of Constantine in the backgroundJ. B.

Italy, Rome, ColosseumJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Colosseumhall inside colloseumJ. B.

Italy, Rome, ColosseumJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Arch of TitusThe Arch of Titus, on the Via Sacra, Rome, just to the south-east of the Roman Forum, was completed by Domitian in 96 A.D. to commemorate Titus' victories, including the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. The Arch of Titus has provided the general model for many of the triumphal arches erected since the 16th century—perhaps most famously it is the inspiration for the 1806 Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, completed in 1836.1 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Temple of Antoninus and FaustinaTemple was build in 141 AD and dedicated to Faustina. In 161 temple was re-dedicated jointly to Antoninus and Faustina.
Temple was later converted to a church, known as San Lorenzo in Miranda.1 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Forum from PalatinoTemple of Antoninus and Faustina
Temple of Romulus

This temple Maxentius built for his son Romulus who died 309 AD. Maybe the temple is built over earlier temple.
In 527 the temle with library on Vespasian's forum was rebuild to church of St. Cosma and Damian.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Pyramid of Cestiusbuilt in 12 BC by Gaius Cestius Epulo
base: 29.6 m (100 Roman feet)
high: 37 m (125 Roman feet)

inscription:
C · CESTIVS · L · F · POB · EPULO · PR · TR · PL
VII · VIR · EPOLONVM

OPVS · APSOLVTVM · EX · TESTAMENTO · DIEBVS · CCCXXX
ARBITRATV
PONTI · P · F · CLA · MELAE · HEREDIS · ET · POTHI · L

inscription from 1663: INSTAVRATVM · AN · DOMINI · MDCLXIIIJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Porta San Paologate in Aurelian wallsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Pons Aemiliusthe oldest stone-bridge in Rome
bridge with six wholly stone arches was comleted in 142 BC
bridge was destroyd in 1598 AD by flood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pons_Aemilius3 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Theatre of MarcellusTheatre was built in 13 BC and was named after Marcus Marcellus, Emperor Augustus's nephew, who died five years before its completion.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Temple of PortunusForum Boarium

built in 75 BC
converted to church in 872J. B.

Italy, Rome, Temple of Hercules VictorForum Boarium

built in the later second century BC

In 1132 the temple was converted to a church, known as Santo Stefano alle Carozze.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Unidentified Bust, Museum on PalatineMuseum on Palatine2 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Vatican Museums, Marble bustsVatican MuseumsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Ara PacisIt was built to honor the triumphal return of the Roman emperor Augustus.
It was consecrated on 30 January 9 BC.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Column of Marcus AureliusIt was built in 176 or later after death of Marcus Aurelius to celebrate victory over Marcomani and Quadi and Sarmatians. J. B.

Italy, Ostia - mosaiqueHippocampsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme - DiscobolosPalazzo Massimo alle TermeJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Original ancient door from Curianow it is in Basilica of St. John Lateran ... seat of Pope until he moved to Vatican1 commentsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Aqua Claudia, Part of the aquaduct near Basilica of St. John LateranJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Baths of Caracallahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baths_of_CaracallaJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, HermaphroditePalazzo Massimo alle TermeJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Pantheon1 commentsJ. B.

Turkey, Pergamum - TheatreThe Hellenistic theatre at Pergamum is extraordinary. It’s built into a steep hill-side, in close proximity to the city’s famous altar of Zeus, as well as to temples dedicated to Athena and Dionysus. But the constraints of the chosen site meant that the theatre could not take the ‘normal’ Greek shape (rather more than a semi-circle). Instead, to fit in the required number of seats, the cavea was extended vertically: there are 78 rows. The result is vertiginous. Abu Galyon

Italy, Rome, ForumJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Capitoline Museums, Esquiline VenusCapitoline museumsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Capitoline Museums, Capitoline VenusCapitoline museumsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Capitoline Museums, DianaCapitoline museumsJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Forum of AugustusIt includes the Temple of Mars UltorJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Temple of Venus and RomaThis is largest roman temple and it was designed by emperor Hadrian himself. Temple was finished by Antoninus Pius and repaired by Maxentius after fire. In 850 after earthquake pope Leo IV built Santa Maria Nova over ruins. In 1612 after renovation church was renamed to Santa Francesca Romana.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Arch of Dolabella(the Porta Caelimontana)
built by consul Publius Cornelius Dolabella in 10 AD.
It was part of Aqua Marcia and later Aqua Claudia leading to Palatin.J. B.

Italy, Rome, Domitian's stadium on PalatinJ. B.

Italy, Rome, Palace of Domitianon PalatinJ. B.

France, Nemausus - BollardNîmes was founded by Augustus, with veterans from his Egyptian campaigns. The coin-type with the crocodile chained to a palm is famous, and still used by Nîmes as its coat of arms today. Here it appears on one of the (modern) bollards set up around the ancient amphitheatre.1 commentsSyltorian

France, Nemausus - Crocodile FountainThis fountain is not ancient, but represents the famous coin-type of the ancient city of Nemausus, showing a crocodile chained to a palm-tree. Syltorian

France, Nemausus - Relief on the AmphitheatreThis relief is found above one of the arches of the ancient amphitheatre of Nemausus. It's rather worn, but two gladiators can still be seen. Syltorian

France, Nemausus - AmphitheatreThe Roman amphitheatre of the Colonia Nemausus still stands. On the top, holed stones for holding the velum can be seen. The "Arènes" are still in use today, mainly for bull fights as the more modern statue in front shows. Syltorian

France, Nemausus - Tour MagnePart of the city walls of Nemausus, this is a massive Roman watch-tower with an octagonal base and a round top, it's 32 meters high now, and had another 4 meters in ancient times. Syltorian

France, La Turbie - Trophée des AlpesThis Augustan trophy towers over the French Riviera and Monaco. It celebrates Augustus' pacification of the Alps and his victory over 45 tribes. (also mentioned by Pliny, Nat. Hist. III,136-137) Pity about the rainy weather when this photograph was taken.
Syltorian

France, Glanum - Tomb MonumentOutside the walls of Glanum (now Saint-Rémy-en-Provence) stands this wonderful monument. It was erected sometime between 30-20 B.C. The inscription reads: SEX(tus) M(arcus) L(ucius) IVLIEI C(aii) •F(ilii) PARENTIBVS SVEIS (Sextus, Marcus and Lucius Iulius, sons of Caius, to their parents), and shows interesting battle scenes.
Syltorian

France, Glanum - TempleThe remains of a temple in the ancient city of Glanum (Saint-Rémy-en-Provence). Note the fine acroterion! Syltorian

Lybia, Sabratha - Detail of Scaenae FronsA relief in one of the niches of the theatre frontSyltorian

Lybia, Sabratha - Scaenae FronsThe scaenae frons of the theatre of Sabratha, modern Libya. The sea is visible behind, through the central gate. Note the great reliefs under the stage itself. Syltorian

Lybia, Sabratha - TheatreThe theatre of the ancient city of Sabratha (Libya), built during the reign of the Severans, reconstructed by Mussolini. Syltorian

Italy, Rome, Republican templesLargo di Torre Argentina

Wikipedia: "Temple of Juturna built by Gaius Lutatius Catulus after his victory against the Carthaginians in 241 BC. It was later rebuilt into a church, whose apse is still present.

Circular temple with six columns remaining, was built by Quintus Lutatius Catulus in 101 BC to celebrate his victory over Cimbri; it was Aedes Fortunae Huiusce Diei, a temple devoted to the "Luck of the Current Day"."

J. B.

Italy, Rome, National Museum of Rome, Suicide of a Gaul Pallazo Altemps

Roman copy of Hellenistic original 230-220 BC, one of the bronze groups commissioned from Greek sculptors by Pergamon king Attalus I after his recent victories over the Gauls of Galatia.J. B.