Roman Empire Clipart ETC

Roman Empire A - C

Abolla A cloak chiefly worn by soldiers, and thus opposed to the toda, the garb of peace. The abolla was used by by the lower classes at Rome, and consequently by the philosophers who affected severity of manners and life.
Accubatio "The act of reclining at meals. The Greeks and Romans were accustomed, in later times, to recline at their meals; but this practice could not have been od great antiquity in Greece, since Homer always describes persons as sitting at their meals; and Isidore of Seville, an ancient grammarian, also attributes the same custom to the ancient Romans. Even in the time of the early Roman emperors, children in families of the highest rank used to sit together, while their fathers and elders reclined on couches at the upper part of the room. Roman ladies continued the practice of sitting at table, even after the recumbent position had become common with the other sex. It appears to have been considered more decent, and more agreeable to the severity and purity of ancient manners for women to sit, more especially if many persons were present. But, on the other hand, we find cases of women reclining, where there was conceived to be nothing bold or indelicate in their posture. Such is the case in the following woodcut, which seems intended to represent a scene of matrimonial felicity. The husband and wife recline on a sofa; their two sons are in front of them; and several females and a boy are performing a piece of music for the entertainment of the married pair." — Smith, 1873
Acerra "The incense-box or censer used in sacrifices. The acerra was also a small moveable alter placed before the dead, on which perfumes were burnt. The use of the accerrae at funerals was forbidden by a law of the Twelve Tables as an unnecessary expense." — Smith, 1873
Acinaces "A Persian sword, whence Horace speaks of the Medus acinaces. The acinaces was a short and straight weapon; and thus differed from the Roman sica, which was curved. It was worn on the right side of the body, whereas the Greeks and Romans usually had their swords suspended on the left side. The form of the acinaces, with the mode of wearing it, is illustrated by the by the following Persepolitan figures." — Smith, 1873
Acus "A needle, a pin. Pins were made not only of metal, but also of wood, bone, and ivory. They were used for the same purposes as with us, and also in dressing the hair. The mode of platting the hair, and then fastening it with a pin or needle, is shown in the annexed figure of the female head. This fashion has been continued to our own times by the females of Italy." — Smith, 1873
Alexander Alexander defeating the Persians.
Arms of Alexander VI "Arms of Alexander VI. (Borgia)" — Young, 1901
Amphitheatre View of the amphitheatre at Pompeii.
Amphitheatrical Amusements Bas-relief of early amusements at the amphitheatre.
Ancile "Ancilia carried by Salii. The sacred shield carried by the Salii, and made of bronze. The original ancile was found, according to tradition, in the palace of Numa; and, as no numan hand has brought it there, it was concluded that it had been sent from heaven. At the same time, the haruspices declared that the Roman state would endure so long as this shield remained in Rome. To secure its preservation in the city, Numa ordered eleven other shields, exactly like it, to be made by the armourer, Mamurius Veturius, and twelve ancilia. They were kept in the temple of that divinity, on the Palatine mount, and were taken from it only once a year, on the calends of March. The feast of the god was then observed during several daysl when the Salaii carried their shields about the city, singing songs in praise of Mars, Numa, and Mamurius Veturius, and at the same time performing a dance, which probably in some degree resembled our morris with rods, so as to keep time with their voices, and with the movements of their dance. The preceding cut shows one of these rods, as represented on the tomb of pontifex salius, or chief of the Salii" — Smith, 1873
Antoninus Pius (86-161) Roman emperor.
Apex "A cap worn by the flamines and salii at Rome. The essential part of the apex, to which alone the name properly belonged, was a pointed piece of olive-wood, the base of which was surrounded with a lock of wool. This was worn on the top of the head, and was held there either by fillets only, or, as was more commonly the case, by the aid of a cap which fitted the head, and was also fastened by means of two strings or bands." — Smith, 1873
Apex "The apex was a cap worn by the Flamines and Salii at Rome." — Anthon, 1891
Aquila "Aquila." — Greenough, 1899
Archer "Archer." — Greenough, 1899
Arma "Homer describes in various passages an entire suit of armour, and we observe that it consisted of the same portions which were used by the Greek soldiers ever after. Moreover, the order of putting them on is always the same. The heavy-armed warrior, having already a tunic around his body, and preparing for combat, puts on-1. his greaves; 2. his cuirass; 3. his sword, hung on the left side of his body by means of a belt which passed over the right shoulder; 4. the large round shield, supported in the same manner; 5. his helmet; 6. he took his spear." — Smith, 1873
Arms of Rome "The Municipal Arms of Rome." — Young, 1901
As A Roman coin that originally weighed 12 oz.
As "Roman As in the British Museum."-Whitney, 1902
As "The unit of value in the Roman and old Italian coinages, was made of copper, or of the mixed metal called Aes. It was originally of the weight of a pound of twelve ounces whence it was called as libralis and aes grave. The oldest form of the as is that which bears the figure of an animal. The next and most common form is that which has the two-faced head of Janus on one side, and the prow of a ship on the other (whence the expression sed by Roman boys in tossing up)" — Smith, 1873
As "The unit of value in the Roman and old Italian coinages, was made of copper, or of the mixed metal called Aes. It was originally of the weight of a pound of twelve ounces whence it was called as libralis and aes grave. The oldest form of the as is that which bears the figure of an animal. The next and most common form is that which has the two-faced head of Janus on one side, and the prow of a ship on the other (whence the expression sed by Roman boys in tossing up)" — Smith, 1873
Auger "Among the anceient Romans, a functionary whose duty it was to observe and to interpret, according to traditional rules, the auspices, or reputed natural signs concerning future events."-Whitney, 1902.
Augustus "Augustus ruled for about forty-two yeras, that is, from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D., and this period is known in history as the Golden Age of Latin Literature."—Colby, 1899
Baiocco A small coin of the former Papal States, struck in both silver and copper, worth about a cent.
Baiocco A small coin of the former Papal States, struck in both silver and copper, worth about a cent.
Bakery A Roman bakery
Ballista The Ballista is a device for throwing large darts very accurately. The Roman Ballistas threw stones instead of darts.
Balneum "Balneum or balineum signifies, in its primary sense, a bath or bathing vessel, such as most Romans possessed in their own houses; and from that it came to mean the chamber which contained the bath. When the baths of private individuals became more sumptuous, and comprised many rooms, the plural balnea or balinea was adopted, which still, in correct language, had reference only to the baths of private persons. Balneae and balineae, which have no singular number, were the public baths. But this accuracy of diction is neglected by many of the subsequent writers." — Smith, 1873
Balneum "Balneum or balineum signifies, in its primary sense, a bath or bathing vessel, such as most Romans possessed in their own houses; and from that it came to mean the chamber which contained the bath. When the baths of private individuals became more sumptuous, and comprised many rooms, the plural balnea or balinea was adopted, which still, in correct language, had reference only to the baths of private persons. Balneae and balineae, which have no singular number, were the public baths. But this accuracy of diction is neglected by many of the subsequent writers. This image is Fresco from the Thermae of Titus." — Smith, 1873
Balneum "Balneum or balineum signifies, in its primary sense, a bath or bathing vessel, such as most Romans possessed in their own houses; and from that it came to mean the chamber which contained the bath. When the baths of private individuals became more sumptuous, and comprised many rooms, the plural balnea or balinea was adopted, which still, in correct language, had reference only to the baths of private persons. Balneae and balineae, which have no singular number, were the public baths. But this accuracy of diction is neglected by many of the subsequent writers. This image shows the strigiles and guttus that the Romans used to scrape off perspiration." — Smith, 1873
Bath Interior of bath in ancient Rome.
Bath-Room An ancient bath-room (as discovered).
Roman battle "In the Brave Days of Old." —Bulfinch, 1897
Bearer Roman standard Bearer
Bed and Table Bed and table at Pompeii (from wall painting).
Benedict XIV, arms of "Arms of Benedict XIV (Lambertini)." — Young, 1901
Skin Bottles A Roman skin bottle from specimens at Pompeii and Herculaneum
Skin Bottles A Roman skin bottle from specimens at Pompeii and Herculaneum
Skin Bottles A Roman skin bottle from specimens at Pompeii and Herculaneum
Skin Bottles A Roman skin bottle from specimens at Pompeii and Herculaneum
Breastpins Gold breastpins discovered at Pompeii.
Bronze Helmet Ornament Decorations placed on the helmets of the Roman soldiers.
Brooches Brooches of gold found at Pompeii.
Brutus_Coin "Coin of Brutus and Albinus." — Greenough, 1899
Bucranes and Festoon Roman bucranes and festoon.
Building_Camp "Soldiers Building Cam, with Guards." — Greenough, 1899
Byzantine court "Constantine, the first Christian emperor, removed the capital of the world-empire from Rome to Byzantium, henceforth to be called Constantinople. Though the court, with all its splendor and power, was thus transferred to a city where Greek was the vernacular, the change did not retard, but rather hastened, the decline of literature." — The Delphian Society, 1913
A Coin of Caesar Coin commissioned with the image of Caius Julius Caesar. Front.
A Coin of Caesar Coin commissioned with the image of Caius Julius Caesar. Back.
Coin of Caesar Coin commissioned with the image of Caius Julius Caesar. Front.
Coin of Caesar Coin commissioned with the image of Caius Julius Caesar. Back.
Coin of Cæsar Coin of C&aesar showing bust on front, design on back. Front
Coin of Cæsar Coin of C&aesar showing bust on front, design on back. Back
Coin of Cæsar Coin of C&aesar showing bust on front, ax and amphora on back. Front
Coin of Cæsar Coin of C&aesar showing bust on front, ax and amphora on back. Back
Caduceus "The staff or mace carried by heralds and ambassadors in time of war. This name is also given to the staff with which Hermes or Mercury is usually represented, as is shown in he following figure of that god. From caduceus was formed the word cadu ceator, which signified a person sent to treaty of peace. The persons of the caduceatores were considered sacred." — Smith, 1873
Caesar in England "All histories of England commence with the invasion of Julius Caesar, the earliest event in that quarter of which we have any authentic account. The Island of Britain was an unknown region to the Romans, and nearly so to the rest of mankind, at the period when Caesar's conquests had reduced the greater part of Gaul to the Roman government. Britain, lying within sight of the northern shores of Gaul, attracted his notice, and he began to meditate schemes of conquest." — Goodrich, 1844
Caesar's Death "The Death of Caesar. Naturaly such extraordinary success made him enemies, and though the city seemed in the main to be contented with his rule, it was easy for his ill-wishers to play on the passions of the people by pointing out that he had aimed at the complete overthrow of the constitution and the establishment of a tyranny. It was said that he intended to assume the title of king. Several times a crown was publicly offered to him and he refused it; but his refusal was thought to proceed merely from his perception of the displeasure of the people. A plot was formed against him, and the Ides (15th day) of March, 44 B.C., was fixed upon for his assassination. The rumors of the intended murder got abroad and Caesar was warned of the plot, but he took no notice of these warnings. On the appointed day he was surrounded in the Senate by the conspirators and killed. Among the assassins was one of whom Caesar had always regarded as his especial friend. This was Brutus, and it is said that Caesar, when he recognized him among his assailants, ceased to offer resistance, and exclaiming, 'Thou too, Brutus!' allowed himself to be slain."—Colby, 1899
Julius Caesar Julius Caesar heard that a little way off there was a country nobody knew anything about, except that the people were very fierce and savage, and that a sort of pearl was found in the shells of mussels which lived in the rivers. He could not bear that there should be any place that his own people, the Romans, did not know and subdue. So he commanded the ships to be prepared, and he and his soldiers embarked, watching the white cliffs in the other side of the sea grow higher and higher as he came nearer and nearer.
Caesar_Coin "Coin of Cæsar." — Greenough, 1899
Caliga "Caliga." — Greenough, 1899
Cameo Cameo, a term applied to gems of different colors sculptured in relief. The art of engraving on gems boasts of high antiquity, having been practised with various degrees of success by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
Camp_Sacrifice "Sacrifice in Camp. Military Band." — Greenough, 1899
Candelabrum Candelabrum
Candelabrum Candelabrum on a triangular pedistal in Vatican Museum.
Candelabrum "Originally a candlestick, but afterwards the name of a stand for supporting lamps, in which signification most commonly occurs. The candelara of this kind were usually made to stand upon the ground, and were of a considerable height. The most common kind were made of wood; but those which have been found in Herculaneum and Pompeii are mostly of bronze. sometimes they were made of the more precious metals, and even of jewels. The candelbra did not always stand upon the ground, but were also placed upon the table. Such candelabra usually consisted of pillars, from the capitals of which several lamps hung down, or of trees, from whose branches lamps also were suspended. the preceding cut represents a very elegant candelabrum of this kind, found in Pompeii." — Smith, 1873;
Candys "A robe worn by the Medes and Persians over their trowsers and other garments. It had wide sleeves, and was made of woollen cloth, which was either purple or of some other splendid colour. In the Persepolitan sculptres, from which the annexed figures are taken, nearly all the principal personages wear it." — Smith, 1873;
Capsa "A box for holding books among the Romans. These boxes were of cylindrical form. There does not appear to have been any difference between the capsa and scrinium, except that the latter word was usually applied to those boxes which held a considerable number of rolls. The slaves who had the charge of these book-chests were called capsarii, and also custodes scriniorum; and te slaves who carried in a capsa behind their young masters the books of the sons of respectable Romans, when they went to school, were called by the same name." — Smith, 1873;
Caractacus And Claudius Caractacus was a British Chief that had fought very bravely against the Romans. He was brought to Rome with chains on his hands and feet and set before the emperor of Rome. The wife of Caratacus, who had also been brought a prisoner to Rome, fell upon her knees imploring pity, but Caractacus asked for nothing and exhibited no signs of fear.
Carpentum "A cart; also a two-wheeled carriage enclosed, and with an arched or sloping cover overhead. The carpentum was used to convey the Roman matrons in the public festal processions; and, as this was a high distinction, the privilege of riding in a carpentum on such occasions was allowed to particular females by special grant of the senate. This carriage contained seats for two, and sometimes for three persons, besides the coachman. It was commonly drawn by a pair of mules, but more rarely by oxen or horses, and sometimes by four horses like a quadriga. Carpenta, or covered carts, were much used by the Britons, the Gauls, and other northern nations. These, together with the carts of the more common form, including baggage waggons, appear to have been comprehended under the term carri, or carra, which is the Celtic name with a Latin termination. The Guals took a great multitude of them on their military expeditions, and when they were uncamped, arranged them in close oder, so as to form extensive lines of circumvallation." — Smith, 1873
Carthaginian_Coin "Coin of the Carthaginians in Sicily" — Morey, 1903
Coin of Cassius Coin of Piso with bust on front and bird on back. Front.
Coin of Cassius Coin of Piso with bust on front and bird on back. Back.
Castra The system of encampment among the romans was one of singular regularity and order.
Catapult "Catapult from the Roman military system. The Roman army was divided into legions, each of which contained about 6,000 men, although at first the number was much smaller. Each legion was in turn subdivided into ten cohorts. Besides the legionary soldiers, the army comprised bodies of auxiliar troops from the provinces or the allies of Rome. The common weapons were the pilum, or javelin, and a short sword, but slings and bows were also used."—Colby, 1899
Catapulta Roman catapulta war machine.
Cathedra "A seat or chair, was more particularly applied to a soft seat used by women, whereas sella signified a seat common to both sexes. The cathedrae were, no doubt, of various forms and sizes; but they usually appear to have had backs to them. On the cathedra in the annexed cut, is seated a bride, who is being fanned by a female slave with a fan made of peacock's feathers. Women were also accustomed to be carried abroad in these cathedrae instead of in lecticae, which practice was sometimes adopted by effeminate persons of the other sex. The word cathedra was also applied to the chair or pulpit from which lectures were read." — Smith, 1873
Cavalryman "Cavalryman Charging." — Greenough, 1899
Cavalryman "Cavalryman with Vexillum." — Greenough, 1899
Cavalryman Charging Charging cavalryman pictured trampling an enemy soldier and holding a spear in the Gallic War.
Cavalryman with Vexillum Cavalryman pictured on rearing horse with Vexillum.
Ancient censer "In makin Aeneas burn incense, Virgil follows the custom of his own time rather than historical verity." — Anthon, 1891
Centurio "The commander of a centuria or company of infantry, varying in number with the legion. The century was a military division, corresponding to the civil one curia; the centurio of the one answered to the curio of the other. From analogy we are led to conclude that the century originally consisted of thirty men. In later times the legion was composed of thirty maniples, or sixty centuries. As its strength varied from about three to six thousand, the numbers of a century would vary in proportion from about fifty to a hundred." — Smith, 1873
Roman Centurio A Centurio was a low-to-middle ranking officer in charge of a "century", ideally 100 men but ranging higher and lower than that number.
Cestus "The cestus used in later times, in the public games, was a most formidable weapon. It was frequently covered with knobs and nails, and loaded with lead and iron. Figures with the cestus frequently occur on ancient remains. They appear to have been of various forms as appears in the fololowing specimens taken from ancient monuments." — Anthon, 1891
Boxer with cestus "The cestus was used by boxers from the earliest times. It consisted of thongs of raw ox-hide, or of leather, tied round the hands of pugilists, in order to render their blows more powerful. Sometimes these bands were tied round the arms as high as the elbow." — Anthon, 1891
Chain Mail A section of chain mail from a suit of chain mail armor, lorica hamata.
Chariot A Roman chariot.
Charlemagne's Signature "Charlemagne's signature. Only the central portion was made by Charles, the other letters, forming the name Karolus, being written by a secretary."—Colby, 1899
Chrismatory A receptacle for the chrism, or holy oil, used in the services or the Roman Catholic and Eastern Churches.
Cinerary Chest and Urn Cinerary chest and urn in the Vatican Museum.
Clitellae "A pair of panniers, and therefore only used in the plural number. In Italy they were commonly used with mules or asses; but in other countries they were also applied to horses, of which an instance is given in the annexed woodcut from the column of Trajan." — Smith, 1873
Roman Coin The front of a roman coin.
Roman Coin The back of a roman coin.
Roman coin A Roman coin.
Roman coin A Roman coin.
Ancient Roman coin Coin of the old Roman Empire.
Coins_Caesar "Coins of Caesar." — Greenough, 1899
Colosseum at Rome The Colosseum at Rome was the greatest of Roman ampitheatres.
Corona "A crown, that is, a circular ornament of metal, leaves, or flowers, worn by the ancients round the head or neck, and used as a festive as well as funeral decoration, and as a reward of talent, military or naval prowess, and civil worth." — Smith, 1873 This image shows a Corona Civica.

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Clipart ETC is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse and is funded by a grant from the Florida Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida. Last update: 03/26/2007. Email the project manager.