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This ClipArt gallery offers 396 images of the Roman Empire including culture, people, everyday life, coats of arms, and more. See also the Roman Coins, Roman Architecture, Roman Ornament, Roman Mythology, and Ancient Roman Musical Instruments ClipArt galleries.

A chief of a Frankish tribe, wearing full battle armor. He stands looking to his right holding a long spear, Germanic spear, in his left hand and a short axe in his right. A decorated shield rest on his left hip and a cape rests on his shoulders. His hair is in long braids and his helmet is tall and pointed, resembling a crown. His sandals wrap around his leg up to his knee.

A Frankish Chief in Full Armor

A chief of a Frankish tribe, wearing full battle armor. He stands looking to his right holding a long…

Illustration of a Roman soldier, also called a legionary, carrying a shield, short sword, and a short javelin for throwing. He is wearing sandals, traditional armor, and a helmet.

A Roman Soldier, or Legionary, with a Short Javelin and Shield

Illustration of a Roman soldier, also called a legionary, carrying a shield, short sword, and a short…

A cloak chiefly worn by soldiers, and thus opposed to the toga, 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.

Abolla

A cloak chiefly worn by soldiers, and thus opposed to the toga, the garb of peace. The abolla was used…

"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

Accubatio

"The act of reclining at meals. The Greeks and Romans were accustomed, in later times, to recline at…

"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

Acerra

"The incense-box or censer used in sacrifices. The acerra was also a small moveable alter placed before…

"A Persian sword, whence Horace speaks of the <em>Medus acinaces.</em> The acinaces was a short and straight weapon; and thus differed from the Roman <em>sica,</em> 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." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Acinaces

"A Persian sword, whence Horace speaks of the Medus acinaces. The acinaces was a short and…

"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." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Acus

"A needle, a pin. Pins were made not only of metal, but also of wood, bone, and ivory. They were used…

Flavius Aetius (396-454) was a Roman general of the closing period of the Western Roman Empire.

Flavius Aetius

Flavius Aetius (396-454) was a Roman general of the closing period of the Western Roman Empire.

"In order that [Alaric's] body might be saved from the gaze of the vulgar and the rage of his foes, he gave direction that it should be buried in the bed of the river Busentinus."&mdash;Ridpath, 1885

The Burial of Alaric in the Bed of the Busentinus

"In order that [Alaric's] body might be saved from the gaze of the vulgar and the rage of his foes,…

Alexander defeating the Persians. This is an illustration of the Alexander Mosaic, found on the floor of the House of Faun in Pompeii.

Alexander

Alexander defeating the Persians. This is an illustration of the Alexander Mosaic, found on the floor…

Hannibal and his army crossing the Alps.

Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps

Hannibal and his army crossing the Alps.

An amice was a loose fitting garment worn by Romans over their tunics; it was also worn by priests and pilgrims. It is a form of vestment used today by Roman Catholic priests during mass.

Amice

An amice was a loose fitting garment worn by Romans over their tunics; it was also worn by priests and…

View of the amphitheatre at Pompeii.

Amphitheatre

View of the amphitheatre at Pompeii.

Bas-relief of early amusements at the amphitheatre.

Amphitheatrical Amusements

Bas-relief of early amusements at the amphitheatre.

This Roman Amphora is unpainted made out of red clay. The neck of this vase is narrow with a thick rim.

Roman Amphora

This Roman Amphora is unpainted made out of red clay. The neck of this vase is narrow with a thick rim.

This Roman Amphora is an unpainted vase made out of yellow clay. It was found in the area near Aquileia, Ancient Rome.

Roman Amphora

This Roman Amphora is an unpainted vase made out of yellow clay. It was found in the area near Aquileia,…

This Roman Amphora is made out of glass and includes a stopper.

Roman Amphora

This Roman Amphora is made out of glass and includes a stopper.

This Roman Amphora is made out of iridescent glass and was found in Pompeii, Ancient Rome.

Roman Amphora

This Roman Amphora is made out of iridescent glass and was found in Pompeii, Ancient Rome.

"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" &mdash; Smith, 1873

Ancile

"Ancilia carried by Salii. The sacred shield carried by the Salii, and made of bronze. The original…

"It was during Hadrian's sojourn in this country that his favorite, the beautiful Birthynian named Antinous, cast himself for his master's sake into the Nile, and was drowned. t appears that the oracle at Besa had informed the Emperor that impending calamity could be averted only by the self-sacrifice of the one whom he most loved. Antinous believed himself to be designated as the offering, and accordingly gave his life to the river."&mdash;Ridpath, 1885

Antinous

"It was during Hadrian's sojourn in this country that his favorite, the beautiful Birthynian named Antinous,…

"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." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Apex

"A cap worn by the flamines and salii at Rome. The essential part of the apex, to which alone the name…

"The apex was a cap worn by the Flamines and Salii at Rome." — Anthon, 1891

Apex

"The apex was a cap worn by the Flamines and Salii at Rome." — Anthon, 1891

A Claudian aqueduct, a building constructed in honor of Claudius I, a Roman emperor.

Aqueduct

A Claudian aqueduct, a building constructed in honor of Claudius I, a Roman emperor.

"Aquila." &mdash; Greenough, 1899

Aquila

"Aquila." — Greenough, 1899

An Aquilifer was the Roman soldier in charge of carrying the standard for his unit.

Aquilifer

An Aquilifer was the Roman soldier in charge of carrying the standard for his unit.

"Archer." — Greenough, 1899

Archer

"Archer." — Greenough, 1899

"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." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Arma

"Homer describes in various passages an entire suit of armour, and we observe that it consisted of the…

The image of a Roman legionnaire. He is equipped with a dense breastplate, a helm, a large round shield, greaves, and a short sword.

Arms and Armor

The image of a Roman legionnaire. He is equipped with a dense breastplate, a helm, a large round shield,…

"The Municipal Arms of Rome." &mdash; Young, 1901

Arms of Rome

"The Municipal Arms of Rome." — Young, 1901

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Carthaginian Art

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Carthaginian Art

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Carthaginian Art

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Carthaginian Art

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Carthaginian Art

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Carthaginian Art

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

Carthaginian Art

Remains of Carthaginian art from Duruy's "History of Rome."

"The town clock of Athens in the Hellenistic Age." -Breasted, 1914

Athenian Town Clock

"The town clock of Athens in the Hellenistic Age." -Breasted, 1914

"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.

Auger

"Among the anceient Romans, a functionary whose duty it was to observe and to interpret, according to…

"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

Augustus

"Augustus ruled for about forty-two yeras, that is, from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D., and this period is known…

(63 BC-AD 14) Roman Emperor

Emperor Augustus

(63 BC-AD 14) Roman Emperor

Augustus, born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was adopted by his great-uncle Julius Caesar in 44 BC, and between then and 27 BC was officially named Gaius Julius Caesar. After 27 BC, he was named Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus. Because of the various names he bore, it is common to call him Octavius when refering to events between 63 and 44 BC, Octavian (or Octavianus) when refering to events between 44 and 27 BC, and Augustus when refering to events after 27 BC.

Sculpture of Augustus

Augustus, born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was adopted by his great-uncle Julius Caesar in 44 BC, and between…

(121-180) Roman Emperor

Marcus Aurelius

(121-180) Roman Emperor

A Roman bakery

Bakery

A Roman bakery

This antique Roman balance from Pompeii has one pan that hangs from a rod.

Antique Roman balance from Pompeii

This antique Roman balance from Pompeii has one pan that hangs from a rod.

Roman emperor.

Decimus Caelius Balbinus

Roman emperor.

The Ballista is a device for throwing large darts very accurately. The Roman Ballistas threw stones instead of darts.

Ballista

The Ballista is a device for throwing large darts very accurately. The Roman Ballistas threw stones…

An ancient missile weapon which launched a large projectile at a distant target.

Ballista

An ancient missile weapon which launched a large projectile at a distant target.

"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." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Balneum

"Balneum or balineum signifies, in its primary sense, a bath or bathing vessel, such as most Romans…

"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." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Balneum

"Balneum or balineum signifies, in its primary sense, a bath or bathing vessel, such as most Romans…

Interior of bath in ancient Rome.

Bath

Interior of bath in ancient Rome.

An ancient bath-room (as discovered).

Bath-Room

An ancient bath-room (as discovered).

Bathing was an important part in Ancient Roman culture and society. In Germany there are These Roman baths varied from simple to exceedingly elaborate structures. In taking a Roman bath, the bather induced sweating by gradually exposing himself to increasing temperatures. To accommodate this ritual, all Roman bathhouses contained a series of rooms which got progressively hotter. Most contained a room just inside the entrance where the bather stored his clothes. After taking a series of sweat and/or immersion baths, the bather returned to the cooler tepidarium (a warm room) for a massage with oils and final scraping with metal implements. Today ruins of Roman baths remain in three German cities, Trier, Baden-Baden, and Baden-Württemberg.

Ancient Roman Baths

Bathing was an important part in Ancient Roman culture and society. In Germany there are These Roman…

"In the Brave Days of Old." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Roman battle

"In the Brave Days of Old." —Bulfinch, 1897

Roman standard Bearer

Bearer

Roman standard Bearer

An eagle bearer from the Roman Empire. The eagle was made of precious metal and was the symbol of the power of Rome. If the eagle was lost in battle, it was considered a terrible disgrace.

Eagle Bearer

An eagle bearer from the Roman Empire. The eagle was made of precious metal and was the symbol of the…

Bed and table at Pompeii (from wall painting).

Bed and Table

Bed and table at Pompeii (from wall painting).

This Roman bedstead had a Pompeian vase-painting. It included a head and foot board. It was made out of wood and metal and sometimes precious materials such as ivory.

Roman Bedstead

This Roman bedstead had a Pompeian vase-painting. It included a head and foot board. It was made out…

Belsarius was ordered to have his eyes put out, and was reduced to a homeless beggar.

Blind Belsarius

Belsarius was ordered to have his eyes put out, and was reduced to a homeless beggar.

An ancient town first recorded in the journals of Julius Caesar.

Besancon

An ancient town first recorded in the journals of Julius Caesar.

Illustration of a bishop sitting on an ornately decorated cathedra. A crosier, pastoral staff, rests against his left shoulder. The view is of the left side of the bishop and throne. There are columns in the background, to the right of the throne. A cathedral is a church that is the cathedra, or seat, of a bishop.

A Bishop Sitting on a Bishop's Throne Called a Cathedra

Illustration of a bishop sitting on an ornately decorated cathedra. A crosier, pastoral staff, rests…