The Partial Historians

20/06/2025

“Archaeologists have pieced together thousands of fragments of 2,000-year-old wall plaster to reveal remarkable frescoes that decorated a luxurious Roman villa.”

Thousands of fragments of plaster are pieced together to reveal frescos from a Roman London villa.

20/06/2025

This we’re in awe of the deep saturated blue of this fresco from the House of Venus, Pompeii. It depicts what appears to a statue brought to life of Mars, the god of war. He stands on a plinth adding to the sculptural feel surrounded by bushes, trees, birds, and a brilliantly rich blue sky that might be about to turn from twilight to night.

Image description: Mars, the Roman god of war, stands on a plinth in a fresco from Pompeii. He holds a spear, shield and wears a crested helmet and a cloak, but is otherwise heroically n**e. He appears in a garden seemingly at twilight a Gorgoneion seals the leafy border that frames the scene. Image credit to Carole Raddato.

18/06/2025

The ‘Torlonia’ relief was found in 1863 during excavations of Portus. The relief depicts the harbour of Portus and is thought to date to the late C2nd or early C3rd CE due to the identification of the hairstyle of the woman at the altar in the left ship.

Image description, modified from Ostia-Antica.org: the relief depicts waves which carry two ships. In the top left corner is a female figure. She holds a cornucopiae in her left hand and a wreath in her right hand. On her head is a lighthouse similar to other depictions of the lighthouse of Portus, suggesting that the figure is the personification (Genius) of Portus. To the right of the figure flies an eagle with outstretched wings. With his claws he holds a wreath. Further to the right, is the lighthouse of Portus. On the third upper floor of the lighthouse is a male, naked (bearded?) figure. Further to the right is a male figure standing on a square pedestal, facing left. With his left hand he holds a cornucopiae. With his right hand he holds a wreath over the head of the figure standing on the lighthouse. A cargo ship occupies most of the left half of the relief. Romulus and Remus can be seen suckled by the she-wolf, facing left and right respectively. On top of the main mast is a winged Victoria.

Illustration: A drawing of the relief after restoration, with indication of the traces of paint. Drawing: Fondazione Torlonia.

17/06/2025

🌟Bringing you Roman history since 2013🌟

16/06/2025

Looking to explore the ancient world through the lens of those who lived it? This historical fiction series may be just what you’re looking for 🥳

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16/06/2025

🌟Daedalus, Icarus, and Pasiphaë🌟

This we celebrate this gorgeously detailed mosaic panel. Pasiphaë, attended by a young woman and Trophos, watch on as Daedslus and Icarus work on a wooden effigy. Eros with a cheeky bull’s head are hidden under Pasiphaë’s stool.

Image description from the World History Encyclopaedia: The mosaic of Daedalus, Icarus, and Pasiphaë from Zeugma depicts the wife of King Minos of Crete Pasiphaë (ΦACIΦAH), an unidentified maiden, and her nanny Trophos (TPOΦOC) watching as Daedalus (ΔΕɅɅΟC) and his son Icarus (ΕIKAPOC) make a wooden effigy of a cow. Dated to the end of the 2nd century CE. Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep, Turkey. Image credit to Carole Raddato.

13/06/2025

Throwback to actually being amongst the frescoes this ! In 2023, I was fortunate enough to visit Pompeii. What an amazing experience, I jumped over stones, explored ruins, and got excited for every ancient phallus sighting ~ Dr G

12/06/2025

🌟Brand New Episode - Shirts Off for Virtus!🌟

We continue to follow the adventures of that most amazing of Romans: Marcus Furius Camillus! This is one of his real shining moments of virtus. Join us for his adventures with a Faliscan school teacher 👀

Image is Nicolas Poussin’s 1637 painting “Camillus Delivers the Schoolmaster of Falerii to His Pupils”. Camillus is depicted in red on the left while young school boys force their near naked (and thoroughly humiliated teacher) to return to the Faliscans for punishment. Overlaid text reads: New Episode: Shirts Off for Virtus! Rome’s sometimes favourite returns: it’s Camillus!

11/06/2025

⚔️The Praetorian Guard ⚔️

It’s and we’re enamoured by the Praetorians Relief, which comes from the Arch of Claudius dated to c. 51–52 CE. It depicts three soldiers in high relief in the foreground with two others in the background. The soldiers are accompanied by a standard bearer who holds an aquila standard. In dramatic fashion, the eagle grasps a thunderbolt in its talons.

The soldiers have been identified as Praetorians due to the elevated style of their helmets, dress and oval shields.

It can be seen today in the Louvre-Lens. Photo credit to Christophe Jacquand via Wikimedia Commons.

10/06/2025

Why is Severus Alexander so large? These emperors are truly getting too big for their boots!

Throwback to Dr G’s visit to MAN Napoli

09/06/2025

🎭It’s theatre time this with a troupe offering a comedic performance (the smiling masks are the giveaway!). The play itself we’re not sure about but the tambourine, small cymbals, and the double flute share a connection with the goddess Cybele.

The mosaic was found in the so-called Villa of Cicero near Pompeii and is now held in the MAN Napoli.



Image description: This mosaic depicts three musicians wearing comedic theattucal masks, attended by a child (potentially enslaved). The musicians are dressed in layered costumes including a fabric that seems to shimmer between yellow and blue. The mossic is signed by Dioskourides of Samos and dates to the 1st century BCE. Photo credit to Carole Raddato via World History Encyclopaedia.

05/06/2025

🍆It’s 🍆

This bronze ph***ic amulet is bound to have brought it’s owner great fortune! We hope the very glimpse of it also brings Fortune’s favour your way!

Image description: this bronze phallus also has what appears to be the hindquarters of horse. It amulet can be hung from the chain at the top and it also has the benefit of two pendants attached to base. From the Sir Henry Wellcome’s Museum Collection, object number A154056.