Dr Crom
@doccrom.bsky.social
Classicist, archaeologist, sci-fi and horror nerd and, most importantly, ginger. Oh, and... "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn". #EdgyPedlar #AncientStuff
#OnThisDay - 20 November - in AD 284 Numerian died while travelling through Syria. It was believed that he had been killed by Aper, the Praetorian Prefect, whom Diocletian subsequently killed. #History 🏺
Image: RIC V Carus 442; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 22995). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC V Carus 442; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 22995). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
November 20, 2025 at 9:20 AM
#OnThisDay - 20 November - in AD 284 Numerian died while travelling through Syria. It was believed that he had been killed by Aper, the Praetorian Prefect, whom Diocletian subsequently killed. #History 🏺
Image: RIC V Carus 442; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 22995). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC V Carus 442; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 22995). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
#OnThisDay - 20 November - in AD 284 Diocletian was declared Roman emperor on the death of Numerian. The Historia Augusta (30.13) notes that the army made this decision with "heaven-sent unanimity". #History 🏺
Image: RIC V Diocletian 1; Münze (Aureus 284). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC V Diocletian 1; Münze (Aureus 284). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
November 20, 2025 at 9:18 AM
#OnThisDay - 20 November - in AD 284 Diocletian was declared Roman emperor on the death of Numerian. The Historia Augusta (30.13) notes that the army made this decision with "heaven-sent unanimity". #History 🏺
Image: RIC V Diocletian 1; Münze (Aureus 284). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC V Diocletian 1; Münze (Aureus 284). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
#ReliefWednesday - I'm feeling the love today, so here she is in person, with this beautiful polychrome representation of Aphrodite from Dura-Europos, Syria: ca. AD 200-256. #Love #Archaeology 🏺
Image: Yale University Art Gallery (1935.43). Link - artgallery.yale.edu/collections/...
Image: Yale University Art Gallery (1935.43). Link - artgallery.yale.edu/collections/...
November 19, 2025 at 10:32 AM
#ReliefWednesday - I'm feeling the love today, so here she is in person, with this beautiful polychrome representation of Aphrodite from Dura-Europos, Syria: ca. AD 200-256. #Love #Archaeology 🏺
Image: Yale University Art Gallery (1935.43). Link - artgallery.yale.edu/collections/...
Image: Yale University Art Gallery (1935.43). Link - artgallery.yale.edu/collections/...
#ReliefWednesday - A fantastic panel showing soldiers of the Praetorian Guard in parade armour, from the triumphal Arch of Claudius in Rome: ca. AD 51-52. Much restored and embellished, but still rather fabulous! #Roman #AncientBluesky 🏺
Image: Louvre Collections (Ma 1079). 📸 My Own
Image: Louvre Collections (Ma 1079). 📸 My Own
November 19, 2025 at 10:27 AM
#ReliefWednesday - A fantastic panel showing soldiers of the Praetorian Guard in parade armour, from the triumphal Arch of Claudius in Rome: ca. AD 51-52. Much restored and embellished, but still rather fabulous! #Roman #AncientBluesky 🏺
Image: Louvre Collections (Ma 1079). 📸 My Own
Image: Louvre Collections (Ma 1079). 📸 My Own
#OnThisDay - 19 November - in AD 461 Libius Severus was appointed Western Roman Emperor. His elevation was very much influenced by Ricimer, who used him as a public face of his own power. #History 🏺
Image: RIC X Libius Severus 2702; British Museum (B.11208). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC X Libius Severus 2702; British Museum (B.11208). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
November 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM
#OnThisDay - 19 November - in AD 461 Libius Severus was appointed Western Roman Emperor. His elevation was very much influenced by Ricimer, who used him as a public face of his own power. #History 🏺
Image: RIC X Libius Severus 2702; British Museum (B.11208). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC X Libius Severus 2702; British Museum (B.11208). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
#OnThisDay - 17 November - Tjaiemhotep was born in Year 9 of Ptolemy XII Auletes' reign, i.e. in 73 BC. A record of her life is left on her funerary stela, including a plea to seize the day while you may. #Archaeology #Egypt 🏺
Image: British Museum (EA147). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
Image: British Museum (EA147). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
November 17, 2025 at 8:54 AM
#OnThisDay - 17 November - Tjaiemhotep was born in Year 9 of Ptolemy XII Auletes' reign, i.e. in 73 BC. A record of her life is left on her funerary stela, including a plea to seize the day while you may. #Archaeology #Egypt 🏺
Image: British Museum (EA147). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
Image: British Museum (EA147). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
#OnThisDay - 17 November - in AD 9 Titus Flavius Vespasianus (my fave!) was born. As 'last man standing' at the end of the Long Year that was AD 69, he inaugurated the Flavian Dynasty. #AncientHistory 🏺
Image: Obverse of RIC 2.1 Vespasian 515; ANS 1956.184.26. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: Obverse of RIC 2.1 Vespasian 515; ANS 1956.184.26. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
November 17, 2025 at 8:53 AM
#OnThisDay - 17 November - in AD 9 Titus Flavius Vespasianus (my fave!) was born. As 'last man standing' at the end of the Long Year that was AD 69, he inaugurated the Flavian Dynasty. #AncientHistory 🏺
Image: Obverse of RIC 2.1 Vespasian 515; ANS 1956.184.26. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: Obverse of RIC 2.1 Vespasian 515; ANS 1956.184.26. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
#OnThisDay - 16 November - in 42 BC Tiberius, the second emperor of Rome, was born. Successor to Augustus, his ability to govern the empire ensured the embedding of the system of the Principate. #History 🏺
Image: RIC Tiberius 29; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 5087). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC Tiberius 29; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 5087). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
November 16, 2025 at 12:18 PM
#OnThisDay - 16 November - in 42 BC Tiberius, the second emperor of Rome, was born. Successor to Augustus, his ability to govern the empire ensured the embedding of the system of the Principate. #History 🏺
Image: RIC Tiberius 29; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 5087). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC Tiberius 29; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 5087). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
November 14, 2025 at 10:51 AM
#FrescoFriday - From a series of fresco depictions of the Muses from the Praedia of Julia Felix, Pompeii (II.4.10/3). Here is Urania, Muse of Astronomy, with a celestial globe and measuring rod. #Pompeii #Art 🏺
Image: Louvre Collections (ED 2759 ; P 12). Link - collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/5335...
Image: Louvre Collections (ED 2759 ; P 12). Link - collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/5335...
November 14, 2025 at 10:37 AM
#FrescoFriday - From a series of fresco depictions of the Muses from the Praedia of Julia Felix, Pompeii (II.4.10/3). Here is Urania, Muse of Astronomy, with a celestial globe and measuring rod. #Pompeii #Art 🏺
Image: Louvre Collections (ED 2759 ; P 12). Link - collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/5335...
Image: Louvre Collections (ED 2759 ; P 12). Link - collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/5335...
#FrescoFriday - A fresco of Fortuna from the Caupona of Tertius, Pompeii (IX.7.22), with the addition of a notable graffito:
"CACATOR / CAVE MALU(M)" (CIL IV 3832)
'Shitter, Beware of Evil!'
Best mind your step! #Pompeii #Archaeology 🏺
Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (112285)
"CACATOR / CAVE MALU(M)" (CIL IV 3832)
'Shitter, Beware of Evil!'
Best mind your step! #Pompeii #Archaeology 🏺
Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (112285)
November 14, 2025 at 10:32 AM
#FrescoFriday - A fresco of Fortuna from the Caupona of Tertius, Pompeii (IX.7.22), with the addition of a notable graffito:
"CACATOR / CAVE MALU(M)" (CIL IV 3832)
'Shitter, Beware of Evil!'
Best mind your step! #Pompeii #Archaeology 🏺
Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (112285)
"CACATOR / CAVE MALU(M)" (CIL IV 3832)
'Shitter, Beware of Evil!'
Best mind your step! #Pompeii #Archaeology 🏺
Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (112285)
#OnThisDay - 14 November - in AD 565 the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I died at the age of 83. His was an energetic reign, perhaps most famous for his legal revisions. #History 🏺
Image: Gold Solidus of Justinian I, Constantinople, AD 538-545. ANS 1948.19.743. Link - numismatics.org/collection/1...
Image: Gold Solidus of Justinian I, Constantinople, AD 538-545. ANS 1948.19.743. Link - numismatics.org/collection/1...
November 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
#OnThisDay - 14 November - in AD 565 the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I died at the age of 83. His was an energetic reign, perhaps most famous for his legal revisions. #History 🏺
Image: Gold Solidus of Justinian I, Constantinople, AD 538-545. ANS 1948.19.743. Link - numismatics.org/collection/1...
Image: Gold Solidus of Justinian I, Constantinople, AD 538-545. ANS 1948.19.743. Link - numismatics.org/collection/1...
I haven't done a #PhallusThursday post in a while, so here's an Athenian amphora, ca. Late 6th Century BC, showing an ithyphallic Satyr flanked by a pair of Sphinxes. Attributed to the 'Pointed Nose Painter'. 🏺
Image: Louvre Collections (E862). Link - collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/5335...
Image: Louvre Collections (E862). Link - collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/5335...
November 13, 2025 at 9:11 AM
I haven't done a #PhallusThursday post in a while, so here's an Athenian amphora, ca. Late 6th Century BC, showing an ithyphallic Satyr flanked by a pair of Sphinxes. Attributed to the 'Pointed Nose Painter'. 🏺
Image: Louvre Collections (E862). Link - collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/5335...
Image: Louvre Collections (E862). Link - collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/5335...
ClassicsBluesky 🏺🧵
#LatinForTheDay – 13 November #Horace
“otium divos rogat in patenti
prensus Aegaeo, simul atra nubes
condidit lunam neque certa fulgent
sidera nautis;
otium bello furiosa Thrace,
otium Medi pharetra decori,
Grosphe, non gemmis neque purpura venale
neque auro....
#LatinForTheDay – 13 November #Horace
“otium divos rogat in patenti
prensus Aegaeo, simul atra nubes
condidit lunam neque certa fulgent
sidera nautis;
otium bello furiosa Thrace,
otium Medi pharetra decori,
Grosphe, non gemmis neque purpura venale
neque auro....
November 13, 2025 at 9:07 AM
ClassicsBluesky 🏺🧵
#LatinForTheDay – 13 November #Horace
“otium divos rogat in patenti
prensus Aegaeo, simul atra nubes
condidit lunam neque certa fulgent
sidera nautis;
otium bello furiosa Thrace,
otium Medi pharetra decori,
Grosphe, non gemmis neque purpura venale
neque auro....
#LatinForTheDay – 13 November #Horace
“otium divos rogat in patenti
prensus Aegaeo, simul atra nubes
condidit lunam neque certa fulgent
sidera nautis;
otium bello furiosa Thrace,
otium Medi pharetra decori,
Grosphe, non gemmis neque purpura venale
neque auro....
#OnThisDay - 13 November - in 36 BC Octavian (later Augustus) celebrated a triple ovation, with his later Res Gestae (25.1) describing this victory as 'pacifying the sea from pirates'. #AncientHistory 🏺
Image: Aureus of 42 BC; RRC 497/1; BM (1864,1128.237). Link - numismatics.org/crro/id/rrc-...
Image: Aureus of 42 BC; RRC 497/1; BM (1864,1128.237). Link - numismatics.org/crro/id/rrc-...
November 13, 2025 at 9:04 AM
#OnThisDay - 13 November - in 36 BC Octavian (later Augustus) celebrated a triple ovation, with his later Res Gestae (25.1) describing this victory as 'pacifying the sea from pirates'. #AncientHistory 🏺
Image: Aureus of 42 BC; RRC 497/1; BM (1864,1128.237). Link - numismatics.org/crro/id/rrc-...
Image: Aureus of 42 BC; RRC 497/1; BM (1864,1128.237). Link - numismatics.org/crro/id/rrc-...
#OnThisDay - 11 November - in AD 109 Trajan dedicated his 'naumachia' - a stadium for the recreation of naval battles - reflecting not only his military persona, but also the role of emperor as impresario. #History 🏺
Image: RIC II Trajan 209; ANS 1958.214.9. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC II Trajan 209; ANS 1958.214.9. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
November 11, 2025 at 11:56 AM
#OnThisDay - 11 November - in AD 109 Trajan dedicated his 'naumachia' - a stadium for the recreation of naval battles - reflecting not only his military persona, but also the role of emperor as impresario. #History 🏺
Image: RIC II Trajan 209; ANS 1958.214.9. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC II Trajan 209; ANS 1958.214.9. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
#OnThisDay - 10 November - in AD 41, the Emperor Claudius wrote a letter to the Alexandrians trying to defuse the civil unrest between the city's various ethnic communities: an issue left unresolved by Gaius Caligula. #AncientHistory 🏺
Image: Papyrus 2248 Recto (P.Lond. VI 1912r. descr., TM 91987)
Image: Papyrus 2248 Recto (P.Lond. VI 1912r. descr., TM 91987)
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 AM
#OnThisDay - 10 November - in AD 41, the Emperor Claudius wrote a letter to the Alexandrians trying to defuse the civil unrest between the city's various ethnic communities: an issue left unresolved by Gaius Caligula. #AncientHistory 🏺
Image: Papyrus 2248 Recto (P.Lond. VI 1912r. descr., TM 91987)
Image: Papyrus 2248 Recto (P.Lond. VI 1912r. descr., TM 91987)
#OnThisDay - 8 November - in AD 30, Marcus Cocceius Nerva was born. He would be proclaimed Roman Emperor by the Senate following the assassination of Domitian in AD 96, reigning until AD 98. #AncientHistory 🏺
Image: Obverse of RIC II Nerva 34 (aureus); BnF. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: Obverse of RIC II Nerva 34 (aureus); BnF. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
November 8, 2025 at 10:51 AM
#OnThisDay - 8 November - in AD 30, Marcus Cocceius Nerva was born. He would be proclaimed Roman Emperor by the Senate following the assassination of Domitian in AD 96, reigning until AD 98. #AncientHistory 🏺
Image: Obverse of RIC II Nerva 34 (aureus); BnF. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: Obverse of RIC II Nerva 34 (aureus); BnF. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
#OnThisDay - 6 November - in AD 15 Agrippina the Younger was born. Great-granddaughter of Augustus, wife of Claudius, and mother of the Emperor Nero, Agrippina was herself a key figure of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. #Agrippina 🏺
Image: BM (1907,0415.1). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
Image: BM (1907,0415.1). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
November 6, 2025 at 10:26 AM
#OnThisDay - 6 November - in AD 15 Agrippina the Younger was born. Great-granddaughter of Augustus, wife of Claudius, and mother of the Emperor Nero, Agrippina was herself a key figure of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. #Agrippina 🏺
Image: BM (1907,0415.1). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
Image: BM (1907,0415.1). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
Cut from the House of the Vestals, Pompeii (VI.1.7) #OnThisDay - 6 November - in 1789: a fine example of a sacro-idyllic landscape fresco, though that Billy-Goat rather seems to be lining up the gent on the bridge! #Pompeii 🏺
Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9488)
Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9488)
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Cut from the House of the Vestals, Pompeii (VI.1.7) #OnThisDay - 6 November - in 1789: a fine example of a sacro-idyllic landscape fresco, though that Billy-Goat rather seems to be lining up the gent on the bridge! #Pompeii 🏺
Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9488)
Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9488)
The erasure of our original inscription has been associated with the fall of Emperor Elagabalus in AD 222, who had very much promulgated an association between himself and Sol Invictus.
Image: RIC IV Elagabalus 143d; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 37688). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC IV Elagabalus 143d; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 37688). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
November 4, 2025 at 11:18 AM
The erasure of our original inscription has been associated with the fall of Emperor Elagabalus in AD 222, who had very much promulgated an association between himself and Sol Invictus.
Image: RIC IV Elagabalus 143d; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 37688). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Image: RIC IV Elagabalus 143d; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 37688). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Sun-worship was very much an eastern cult, with references to it relatively rare in Britain, except in later examples where it was associated with the cult of Mithras, such as the example below from AD 307-308.
Image: Museum of London (18499). Link - www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/...
Image: Museum of London (18499). Link - www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/...
November 4, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Sun-worship was very much an eastern cult, with references to it relatively rare in Britain, except in later examples where it was associated with the cult of Mithras, such as the example below from AD 307-308.
Image: Museum of London (18499). Link - www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/...
Image: Museum of London (18499). Link - www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/...
Text:
⟦Soli Invicto⟧
vexillatio
leg(ionis) VI Vic(tricis) P(iae) F(idelis) f(ecit)
sub cura Sex(ti)
Calpurni Agrico-
lae leg(ati) Aug(usti) pr(o) pr(aetore)
⟦Soli Invicto⟧
vexillatio
leg(ionis) VI Vic(tricis) P(iae) F(idelis) f(ecit)
sub cura Sex(ti)
Calpurni Agrico-
lae leg(ati) Aug(usti) pr(o) pr(aetore)
November 4, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Text:
⟦Soli Invicto⟧
vexillatio
leg(ionis) VI Vic(tricis) P(iae) F(idelis) f(ecit)
sub cura Sex(ti)
Calpurni Agrico-
lae leg(ati) Aug(usti) pr(o) pr(aetore)
⟦Soli Invicto⟧
vexillatio
leg(ionis) VI Vic(tricis) P(iae) F(idelis) f(ecit)
sub cura Sex(ti)
Calpurni Agrico-
lae leg(ati) Aug(usti) pr(o) pr(aetore)
Discovered in 1911, the stone originally had flanking panels bearing the image of Victory, but these have now been lost. Thus its original appearance would have more closely resembled other panels such as the Bridgeness Distance Slab.
Image: National Museum of Scotland (X.FV 27); RIB 2139
Image: National Museum of Scotland (X.FV 27); RIB 2139
November 4, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Discovered in 1911, the stone originally had flanking panels bearing the image of Victory, but these have now been lost. Thus its original appearance would have more closely resembled other panels such as the Bridgeness Distance Slab.
Image: National Museum of Scotland (X.FV 27); RIB 2139
Image: National Museum of Scotland (X.FV 27); RIB 2139