Ancient History Encyclopedia

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Ancient History Encyclopedia is a non-profit educational website with a global vision: to provide the best ancient history information on the internet for free.

We combine different media, subjects and periods in interactive ways that will help readers understand both the "big picture" and the detail. Editorial review is a key component in our process to ensure highest quality.

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475 definitions
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1,049 illustrations
2,964 references
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Encyclopedia Definition

Greek Warfare

by Mark Cartwright
published on 17 May 2013
In the ancient Greek world, warfare was seen as a necessary evil of the human condition. Whether it be small frontier skirmishes between neighbouring city-states, lengthy city-sieges, civil wars or large-scale battles between multi-alliance blocks at land and sea, the vast rewards of war could outweigh the costs in material and lives. Whilst there... [continue reading]

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Roman Frescoed Room

by Mark Cartwright
published on 18 May 2013
A room from the Villa of the Farnesina, Rome, early 1st century BCE. Probably used as a bedroom. The fresco surrounds the whole room and uses trompe-l'oeil effects to create perspective. The central panels shows Dionysos nursed by nymphs, the left panel shows a seated Aphrodite with Eros. (Palazzo Massimo, Rome).
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Dionysos or Bacchus

by Mark Cartwright
published on 18 May 2013
A bronze statue of the god of wine Dionysos (Greek name) / Bacchus (Roman name), early 2nd century CE. His head is crowned with vine leaves and fruit. The eyes are from limestone, the pupils would have probably been in coloured glass paste and the lips are in copper. The statue was made using the lost-wax technique. (Palazzo Massimo, Rome).
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Alexander the Great

by Mark Cartwright
published on 18 May 2013
Head of Alexander the Great from a smaller than life-size statue, goldleaf on bronze, 2nd century CE. (Palazzo Massimo, Rome).
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Roman Sacrificial Altar

by Mark Cartwright
published on 18 May 2013
A marble sacrificial altar dedicated to the Roman gods Mars and Venus, c. 124 CE. Later used as a pedestal for a statue of the god Silvanus. The carvings tell of the founding of Rome with the figures of Romulus and Remus, their adoptive shepherd father Faustulus and a personification of the river Tiber. (Palazzo Massimo, Rome)
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Mycenaean Death Mask

by Xuan Che
published on 18 May 2013
A gold death mask from a Shaft Grave IV, Grave Circle A, Mycenae, 1600-1500 BCE. (National Archaeological Museum, Athens).
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Death Mask of Agamemnon

by Xuan Che
published on 18 May 2013
The so-called death mask of Agamemnon - the king of Mycenae in Homer's Iliad. Gold funeral mask from Grave Circle A, Mycenae (mid-16th century BCE). The mask in fact predates Agamemnon by 400 years but nevertheless remains solid evidence of Homer's description of Mycenae as 'rich in gold'. (National Archaeological Museum, Athens).
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Apulian Loutrophoros

by Peter Roan
published on 17 May 2013
A red-figure loutrophoros from Apulia, 4th century BCE. These tall slim vessels with elongated handles were used during wedding and funeral rites and as grave markers, especially for those who died unmarried. This example depicts women and youths in preparation for a special ocassion. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York).
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Attic Louterion

by Trustees of the British Museum
published on 17 May 2013
An Attic louterion vessel, used for pouring water, wine or in funeral rites and usually wiith a central spout as in this example, 760-735 BCE. (British Museum, London).
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Lebes Gamikos

by Peter Roan
published on 17 May 2013
A southern Italian lebes gamikos vessel, c. 340-320 BCE. Lebetes gamikoi are distinguished by their high handles and they were associated with wedding and funeral rituals. On this example a lady perhaps prepares for a wedding or festival as erotes fly overhead. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York).
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Satyr Kantharos

by Peter Roan
published on 17 May 2013
An Attic kantharos (drinking cup) with a head of a satyr, c. 420 BCE.

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