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aicbyzantine.bsky.social
AIC: Ancient and Byzantine Art (Bot)
@aicbyzantine.bsky.social
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Sharing artworks from the Art Institute of Chicago's Ancient and Byzantine Art department.
Automated thanks to @andreitr.bsky.social and @botfrens.bsky.social
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Coin Depicting an Emperor https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142672/
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays an unidentified emperor, facing right and wearing a radiate crown. On the back (reverse), two soldiers support a type of military standard called a labarum. Gift of William F. Dunham
October 11, 2026 at 6:57 PM
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Denarius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Augustus https://www.artic.edu/artworks/9954/
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the emperor Augustus, facing right. On the back (reverse), Caius Caesar and Lucius Caesar (born to Marcus Agrippa and Julia the Edler) are standing, each resting a hand on a shield. Two spears, a lituus (curved augural staff) and a simpulum (ladle with long handle) are between them. The brothers were adopted by Augustus (their grandfather) as joint-heirs but died at relatively young ages (21 and 18, respectively) before they could rule. This coin commemorates their appointments as consul designatus. Gift of Mrs. William Nelson Pelouze
October 11, 2026 at 3:49 PM
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Amulet of a Cobra with Lioness Head https://www.artic.edu/artworks/141260/
The Art Institute of Chicago
October 11, 2026 at 1:14 PM
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Pectoral Amulet of the Goddess Bastet https://www.artic.edu/artworks/136210/
Gift of Henry H. Getty and Charles L. Hutchinson
October 11, 2026 at 11:20 AM
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Bracelet https://www.artic.edu/artworks/833/
Gift of Charles L. Hutchinson
October 11, 2026 at 7:35 AM
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Amulet of a Falcon https://www.artic.edu/artworks/140811/
Gift of Henry H. Getty and Charles L. Hutchinson
October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM
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Flat Flask https://www.artic.edu/artworks/67394/
Glass vessels were part of the luxurious domestic decoration displayed in wealthy households in both urban villas and rural estates in the later Roman and early Byzantine eras (about 300–725), and were used for a variety of purposes, including cosmetic containers, pitchers for water or wine, and small cup for drinking. Byzantine glass craftsmen improved upon the techniques, forms, and decorative motifs they had inherited from their Roman predecessors. An imperial edict of 337 exempted glassworkers from personal taxes and attested to their relative status in society; it remained in effect for several centuries. Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
October 10, 2026 at 2:47 PM
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Bird on a Stand https://www.artic.edu/artworks/196488/
These precious bronze objects are votives, or devotional gifts, which were offered to the gods. They come in many forms. Some are miniature sculptures of animals, primarily horses, deer, and birds. Others are items of personal adornment, including beads and brooches. Many seem once to have been attached to something else. This assemblage is characteristic of the thousands of votives that were hung from sacred trees or placed in sanctuaries around Greece. Once a shrine was full, the votives were ceremonially buried to make room for more offerings. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Alexander
October 10, 2026 at 12:52 PM
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Scaraboid: Grasshopper https://www.artic.edu/artworks/134516/
Gift of Charles L. Hutchinson
October 10, 2026 at 10:08 AM
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Scarab: Gods and Hieroglyphs https://www.artic.edu/artworks/134351/
Gift of Charles L. Hutchinson
October 10, 2026 at 7:10 AM
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Coin Portraying Emperor Tetricus I https://www.artic.edu/artworks/10212/
On the front (obverse) of this coin, the emperor Tetricus I is portrayed facing right and wearing a crown. On the back (reverse), the goddess of valor stands facing left, leaning on a shield and holding a spear. Gift of Mrs. William Nelson Pelouze
October 9, 2026 at 6:53 PM
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Tetradrachm (Coin) Depicting a Charioteer https://www.artic.edu/artworks/36616/
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts a seated charioteer, bearded, riding behind two mules walking right; in the field below is an olive leaf. The back (reverse) of the coin depicts a hare leaping to the right. When Anaxilas, son of Cretines, seized power at Rhegium (modern Reggio Calabria in southern Italy) in 494 BCE, along with parts of Sicily soon after, he adopted the image of a leaping hare on his coinage as early as 480 BCE. Aristotle (quoted by Pollux, Onomasticon 5.75) reported that Anaxilas introduced hares to Sicily for the sport of hunting and also that he was victorious in the Olympic games. The image of his mule-chariot (biga) on the front of the coin commemorates this victory. The olive leaf in the field below the chariot symbolizes the olive crown awarded to victors at the Olympic Games. The hare may also symbolize the speed of Anaxilas' chariot. Gift of Emily Crane Chadbourne
October 9, 2026 at 2:57 PM
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Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Galba https://www.artic.edu/artworks/5614/
The front of this coin portrays the Emperor Galba, facing right. On the back an as yet untranslated inscription is encircled by an oak wreath. Gift of Martin A. Ryerson
October 9, 2026 at 11:51 AM
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Hemidrachm (Coin) Depicting the God Zeus https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142697/
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts the head of the god Zeus, facing to the left. On the back (reverse), the god Pan appears, nude, and sitting on a rock. Gift of William F. Dunham
October 9, 2026 at 10:15 AM
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Coin Depicting a Horse https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142921/
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts a horse prancing to the right. On the back (reverse), the head of a trident is depicted, decorated with scrolls. Gift of William F. Dunham
October 9, 2026 at 8:55 AM
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Coin Portraying the Emperor Gallienus https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142902/
Gift of William F. Dunham
October 8, 2026 at 5:47 PM
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Jar https://www.artic.edu/artworks/65548/
Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
October 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
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Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Alexander the Great https://www.artic.edu/artworks/9706/
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the deifiled Alexander the Great, facing right with rams horns and long loose curly locks.On the back (reverse), a lidded chest with handles, a club, and a quaestor's stool are all shown encircled by a wreath of laurels. Gift of Mrs. William Nelson Pelouze
October 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Vitellius https://www.artic.edu/artworks/5618/
Portraits of important people appear on local currency all around the world. The same was true in ancient Rome, which began producing its first coinage in the late 4th century BC. Early coins depicted the heads of gods and goddesses on the front side, often in profile, while the back depicted animals, natural resources, symbols, and references to historical events. It was not until 44 BC that the portrait of a living person—Julius Caesar—appeared on coins. Thereafter, profile portraits of rulers or other members of the imperial family became the standard subject on coins throughout the Roman Empire. Inscriptions on coins help identify the ruler. While the front side depicted the sovereign’s portrait, the back was often used to communicate the ruler’s accomplishments or aspirations. Until Late Antiquity, portraits usually appeared in profile. The tiny images were carved by engravers into bronze dies, with one for the front and another for the back. The coins were then struck, one by one, in a process similar to how coins are created today. Roman emperor Nero killed himself in 68, bringing an end to his chaotic reign. What followed was an equally chaotic struggle over who would succeed him. The year 69 saw one general after another rule and die in quick succession: Galba (reigned June 68–Jan. 69), Otho (reigned Jan.–Apr. 69), Vitellius (reigned Apr.–Dec. 69), and finally Vespasian (reigned 69–79), who founded the Flavian dynasty that ruled until 96. The harsh character of these four emperors is emphasized by the realistic features of their coin portraits—the hooked nose of Galba, the double chin and vain curls of Otho, the plump features of the gluttonous Vitellius (seen in this coin), and the lined complexion of battle-hardened Vespasian. Gift of Martin A. Ryerson
October 8, 2026 at 11:24 AM
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Coin Depicting the God Apollo https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142774/
Gift of William F. Dunham
October 8, 2026 at 7:48 AM
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Denarius (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Roma (?) https://www.artic.edu/artworks/141624/
The denarius, introduced in 211 BCE, was the principal silver coin of Rome for five hundred years. The profilehead of the goddess Roma—the personification of Rome—was the most popular image depicted on silver denarii in the second and first centuries BCE. Gift of William F. Dunham
October 7, 2026 at 6:12 PM
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Earring with Dolphin Head Finial https://www.artic.edu/artworks/809/
Originally one of a pair, this earring is formed from gold wire that is strung with one gold, one glass and one sardonyx (stone) bead; and terminates in the form of a dolphin head. Gift of Henry H. Getty, Charles L. Hutchinson, and Robert H. Fleming
October 7, 2026 at 6:02 PM
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Coin Portraying Emperor Septimius Severus https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142764/
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the head of emperor Septimius Severus, facing to the right. On the back (reverse), two serpants are entwined around two torches. Gift of William F. Dunham
October 7, 2026 at 2:47 PM
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Bowl or Cup https://www.artic.edu/artworks/61921/
Initially affordable only among the wealthy, glass was used in ancient Rome as containers for oils, perfume, and tablewares. The variety of glass-making techniques reveals the changing tastes and fashions over the centuries. During the 1st century A.D., cast glass was a novel form that was a luxury for the Roman household, but by the end of the century, the innovation of blown glass allowed for less labor-intensive and less expensive production, which meant people of lesser means could afford it. Blown glass became so popular it nearly supplanted ceramic and even bronze wares in the home. Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
October 7, 2026 at 1:04 PM
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Jar https://www.artic.edu/artworks/62028/
Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
October 7, 2026 at 11:12 AM