James Coverley
@jamescoverley.com
Roman historian | Weekly deep dives + videos | Subscribe for emperors, scandals & unhinged history 👇
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Substack - https://jamescoverley.substack.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@potentiallyinterestingroman
The Druid thing is a joke from Spinal Tap. The Spinal Tap 'Stonhenge' song runs through the article as a recurring theme.
November 6, 2025 at 2:19 AM
The Druid thing is a joke from Spinal Tap. The Spinal Tap 'Stonhenge' song runs through the article as a recurring theme.
The swans represent Apollo, Augustus’ patron god and the Egyptian scenes celebrate the triumph of Rome, and both men, over the recently annexed province.
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The swans represent Apollo, Augustus’ patron god and the Egyptian scenes celebrate the triumph of Rome, and both men, over the recently annexed province.
On either side are two gossamer-thin candelabra, adorned with tiny swans, and on top of each is an Egyptian-style scene. These are fitting scenes for the owners of the villa, Augustus’ right-hand man, Agrippa and his wife, Augustus’ daughter Julia.
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
On either side are two gossamer-thin candelabra, adorned with tiny swans, and on top of each is an Egyptian-style scene. These are fitting scenes for the owners of the villa, Augustus’ right-hand man, Agrippa and his wife, Augustus’ daughter Julia.
The flat, 2D nature of the whole decoration is deliberate. It is all so ephemeral that the visitor is drawn to these intricate scenes, hidden in the midst of the glittering darkness - moths drawn to dazzling flames.
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The flat, 2D nature of the whole decoration is deliberate. It is all so ephemeral that the visitor is drawn to these intricate scenes, hidden in the midst of the glittering darkness - moths drawn to dazzling flames.
The central panel on the back wall has a mural of a pavilion with slender columns supporting a roof hung with gems. In the centre of the panel is a tiny, yet exquisitely painted landscape.
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The central panel on the back wall has a mural of a pavilion with slender columns supporting a roof hung with gems. In the centre of the panel is a tiny, yet exquisitely painted landscape.
You'd think so, but even sources that are clearly made up, or even deliberately fictional can still tell you something about the person who wrote them and hence about the context and time period in which they were written.
October 29, 2025 at 5:25 PM
You'd think so, but even sources that are clearly made up, or even deliberately fictional can still tell you something about the person who wrote them and hence about the context and time period in which they were written.
3.
This suggests that she is their mother, given the relative age difference and that the monument was erected by her in their memory. A mother grieving her lost sons.
(pics - NY Met Museum)
This suggests that she is their mother, given the relative age difference and that the monument was erected by her in their memory. A mother grieving her lost sons.
(pics - NY Met Museum)
October 29, 2025 at 11:52 AM
3.
This suggests that she is their mother, given the relative age difference and that the monument was erected by her in their memory. A mother grieving her lost sons.
(pics - NY Met Museum)
This suggests that she is their mother, given the relative age difference and that the monument was erected by her in their memory. A mother grieving her lost sons.
(pics - NY Met Museum)
2.
The difference in the way the figures are treated is interesting. Of the three, she is the most naturally posed, and she appears to be grieving. The two men are turned towards her, respectfully.
The difference in the way the figures are treated is interesting. Of the three, she is the most naturally posed, and she appears to be grieving. The two men are turned towards her, respectfully.
October 29, 2025 at 11:52 AM
2.
The difference in the way the figures are treated is interesting. Of the three, she is the most naturally posed, and she appears to be grieving. The two men are turned towards her, respectfully.
The difference in the way the figures are treated is interesting. Of the three, she is the most naturally posed, and she appears to be grieving. The two men are turned towards her, respectfully.
Enormous, but the biggest contribution from Egypt was grain, of which it was by far the biggest producer in the Empire.
October 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Enormous, but the biggest contribution from Egypt was grain, of which it was by far the biggest producer in the Empire.
It's a strange one, and every time I convince myself of one answer, one of the other possibilities becomes more tempting! If I were forced to decide, I would probably go for the tomb of a slave girl, and the little chap was her favourite dog. But then again....
October 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
It's a strange one, and every time I convince myself of one answer, one of the other possibilities becomes more tempting! If I were forced to decide, I would probably go for the tomb of a slave girl, and the little chap was her favourite dog. But then again....
A point I made in the article, yes. It probably is for a girl. But the fact that it features just a dog and not a dog and the girl is interesting.
October 22, 2025 at 8:36 PM
A point I made in the article, yes. It probably is for a girl. But the fact that it features just a dog and not a dog and the girl is interesting.