iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Dr Jo Ball

Anthony Majanlahti @anthonymajanlahti.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Special K. For #EpigraphyTuesday, we look at two instances of the archaic K in the word EVOKATVS, normally EVOCATVS, recalled veterans who were "called out" of retirement to re-enlist, with many privileges for doing so. This one, Ingenuus, was a career soldier. #AncientBluesky 🏺

FUNERARY MONUMENT FOR AN EVOCATUS, 200-250 CE. CASINO DELL'AURORA LUDOVISI

A weathered marble funerary altar standing outdoors, surrounded by the fallen leaves of autumn. The front face features a carved relief of a standing Roman soldier wearing a heavy military cloak and proudly holding the baton of his rank. Below is a Latin inscription which translates to: "To the departed shades. For Quintus Vetius Ingenuus, veteran of the Third Praetorian Cohort, from the province of Lower Germany. Marcus, an evocatus (recalled veteran), his heir and fellow citizen, made this for a well-deserving man." Unlike many Roman epitaphs, Ingenuus's sole heir and dedicator is a fellow soldier and countryman. This suggests a life wholly dedicated to military service, devoid of a traditional family structure. According to epigraphic analysis, the monument dates to the first half of the third century CE.

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Beware of the dog! The Cave Canem entranceway from #Pompeii is such a timeless #Roman mosaic; the dog still symbolically protects his owner's house, nearly 2000 years after it was destroyed when Mt Vesuvius erupted in AD 79 🐶 #Archaeology #MosaicMonday #AncientBlueSky

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Reposted by Dr Jo Ball

Matthias Hoernes @matthiashoernes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Miniatures steal the show! A tiny krater and table from a cult space in a house beside Selinunte’s Agora, alongside an extraordinary terracotta assemblage, an altar, and a sacrificial installation. On display in the brilliant exhibition on the German agora excavations.🏺 #AncientBlueSky #archaeology

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This is perhaps true, although if it was from an excavated grave then they're maybe more annoyed about what happened to their earthly remains & final resting place!

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Reposted by Dr Jo Ball

Sistory History Podcast @sistoryhistory.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

A #mosaicmonday from the House of the Birds at the ancient roman site of Itálica - birthplace of the Emperor Hadrian. Particularly loving the proud peacock second from bottom, strutting confidently into the week 🦚. #archeology #classicsbluesky #ancientbluesky #hadrian #ancientrome

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Reposted by Dr Jo Ball

Anthony Majanlahti @anthonymajanlahti.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

For #MosaicMonday, a c. 60-50 BCE #mosaic floor from the basis villæ, the Late Republican core of Hadrian's Villa. If his wife Vibia #Sabina inherited this estate, her Antonine relatives held a 200-year connection to these local stones, unified by descent rather than adoption. #AncientBluesky 🏺

GEOMETRIC MOSAIC FLOOR, C. 60-50 BCE. BASIS VILLÆ, HADRIAN'S VILLA

A Late Republican mosaic floor in the basis villæ, the original nucleus of Hadrian's Villa, an area long closed to the public. The floor features a tricolour geometric pattern creating a woven trompe l'oeil effect. Rectangular blocks of reddish-brown stone tesseræ are arranged symmetrically around small squares of white stone, sharply delineated by rows of dark grey tesseræ. Dating to c. 60-50 BCE, this elegant mosaic floor in tesseræ of local materials contrasts with Hadrian's C2 expansion that embellished the estate with polychrome marble from across the empire. A widely-held theory suggests Hadrian chose this site because his wife, Vibia Sabina, inherited this older villa. Her mother Matidia, niece of Trajan, was the ancestress of the Antonine dynasty, and if the inheritance of this villa passed through her, then all the emperors from Hadrian to Commodus could claim this as a family property stretching back over two centuries.

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Reposted by Dr Jo Ball

Gladius 🗡️ Hispaniensis @gladiushispania.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#MosaicMonday Fragmento de mosaico romano, encontrado en Medina Sidonia (Asido Caesarina Augusta), Cádiz 🇪🇦 España. Siglo I #Hispania #Roma #RomanArchaeology #Archaeology #Art #AncientBluesky

Fragmento de mosaico romano, encontrado en Medina Sidonia (Asido Caesarina Augusta), Cádiz 🇪🇦 España. Siglo I
📷 A. M.

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I agree - interesting given the geographic & temporal similarities, maybe it was a trend in the mid-later C1st AD...

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

A beautiful #Roman glass bottle, in green & gold with small patches of blue - a lovely thing, although I suspect the original owner would be stunned to know that it had survived nearly 2000 years, & was now on display to the public... #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

A #Roman pie or pastry mould in the shape of a pig - probably used to create a 'showstopper' dish for a dinner party, some 2000 years ago #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

A #Roman figurine of a dog with a raised paw, looking upwards to an unseen viewer. Dogs were popular in the Roman world as both working animals & pets, as well as being associated with healing #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

This is in the House of the Wild Boar (Casa del Cinghiale I) - I hope you enjoy exploring the site!

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The entranceway to a #Roman house in #Pompeii, with a striking black & white mosaic leading into the rest of the house - still in the place it was first laid nearly 2000 years ago #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky #MosaicMonday

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Reposted by Dr Jo Ball

Gladius 🗡️ Hispaniensis @gladiushispania.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#MosaicMonday Mosaico romano de suelo descubierto en Clunia Sulpicia. Clunia era una ciudad romana situada en el sur de la provincia de Burgos 🇪🇦 España. Siglos: I - III a.C. #Hispania #Roma #RomamArchaeology #Archaeology #Art #AncientBluesky

Mosaico romano de suelo descubierto en Clunia Sulpicia.
Clunia era una ciudad romana situada en el sur de la provincia de Burgos 🇪🇦 España.
Siglos: I - III a.C.
📷 A. M.

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The remains of the #Roman amphitheatre at Pozzuoli (Italy), built during the reigns of Vespasian & Titus (probably by the same people as the Colosseum). It had a capacity of some 40-50,000 spectators #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky #AncientSiteSunday

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Reposted by Dr Jo Ball

Sophia Kouidou-Giles @sophiakg.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Mosaic floor located in a home that is the theater district, on the sacred island on Delos. Dolphins are frequent decorations here. Later 2nd century BC. #Archeology #Greece #Booksky #Bookshelves #writingcommunity #amwriting #AncientBluesky #Delos #GreekTales #reading

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

A #Roman glass bowl, in a beautiful cobalt blue with an irregular swirling white pattern. It looks amazing - especislly given that it is nearly 2000 years old! #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A beautiful #Roman glass bottle, in vivid shades of blue, green, & gold. It was probably originally used to hold perfume or some other cosmetic product, some 2000 years ago #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky

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Reposted by Dr Jo Ball

Disney Filmatic @disneyfilmatic.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

This is such a fun design! 🏺✨ Disney’s Hercules (1997)

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

A #Roman gold aureus minted in the reign of Hadrian. One side shows the emperor, while the other depicts the divine personification of Egypt, surrounded by things associated with her province - a lotus flower, an ibis, a snake, & a sistrum (a rattling musical instrument) #AncientBlueSky (📷 BM)

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

A modern statue of Publius Quinctilius Varus, in the town of Haltern (Germany). Named 'Der gescheiterte Varus' ('the failed Varus'), it shows Varus in the aftermath of the #Roman defeat at the Teutoburg (AD 9) - (or is this his ghost, which appeared years later in a dream..?)

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A mummy portrait from #Roman Egypt, depicting an older woman with loosely-curled grey hair, a gold wreath, & gold-pearl earrings. Unlike portraits of younger women, she doesn't seem to be following the fashions of the Imperial court - just her own sense of style? 🏺 #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Crom @doccrom.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#OnThisDay - 13 September - in AD 81 Titus Caesar Vespasianus, the second of the Flavian emperors, died after a reign of two year, two months, and twenty days (Dio 66.26.4). #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC 2.1 Domitian 147; British Museum (R.10761). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

Obverse of a Roman aureus: Head of Divus Titus, radiate, right.

Reverse of a Roman aureus: Bust of Julia Titi, draped, right; hair bundled in front and in long plait in back.

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A #Roman cheese press, found at Balmuildy fort on the #AntonineWall (Scotland). The cheese was put in the press & pressed down by a weight, forcing out any moisture through the holes. The resulting cheeses would have the concentric circle pattern from the press 🧀 #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

They certainly were; and although we would expect that to be a standard gladius, that doesn't mean it always was. But this one does seem to have signs of use-wear on the blade edges (although I can't be sure from a museum display alone), which suggests to me it was used rather than ceremonial

seem.to

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I don't know enough about how wood ages either, but pretty much ever other wooden sword found still has a straight blade, so I think this one was made like this originally

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This is the interesting thing about the sword, as we have no idea if any Thracian units were stationed at Oberaden. So the sword could be a practice one for an anticipated campaign, or a Thracian soldier using it, or someone practicing for the arena - maybe even a soldier, unusual but not unknown...

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A wooden #Roman sword, found in a fort at Oberaden (Germany). It is pretty much full-size, so was probably a training sword rather than a toy. It is not a tradition straight sword, but a curved sica - a blade originally from Dacia & Thrace, & also used by thraex-type gladiators #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

They didn't stay at the Antonine Wall for long - but the land between the two was contested ground before & well beyond this period

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Three #Roman leather shoes, for (l-r) a man, woman, & child. Found in an ancient well at Bar Hill fort on the Antonine Wall (Scotland), they're beautifully crafted pieces of footwear, & show that the military communities had access to a bit of luxury even on the frontiers... #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

They probably didn't run much with it, more holding the line, & maybe for a limited period in ideal circumstances - but still, huge physical effort needed!

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

That is a much better view than my slightly upskirting one!

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A #Roman shield found in Dura-Europos (Syria), where it was lost during a siege in the C3rd AD. The only rectangular shield to survive from the Roman world, it is a wonderful find, & gives a great insight into how elaborately decorated these items were #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

There is, in New Ulm, Minnesota - connections with the homeland, & all that. Series 1 of Barbaren was flawed but interesting, series 2 was much less engaging, for me.

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The Hermannsdenkmal - a C19th monument dedicated to Arminius (aka Hermann) in tribute to his victory over Varus & his 3 #Roman legions in AD 9. It was built in Detmold (Germany), at the time thought to be the site of the battle (but it was probably about 70km away in reality)

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Reposted by Dr Jo Ball

Kevin Wilbraham @kpw1453.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

An altar dedicated to the water goddess Coventina by Aurelius Crotus which was discovered at Coventina's Well near Carrawburgh Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall. The stone is now on display in the site museum at Chesters Roman Fort. 📸 My own. #EpigraphyTuesday #RomanBritain

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Nina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

A #Roman helmet with a face mask found in Pfrondorf. It's decorated with wings and snakes, a reference to Medusa, the snake-haired mythical creature whose sight turned everyone who saw it to stone. Medusa’s head was a popular motif used to ward off any evil. 🧵1/2 📷 Landesmuseum Württemberg

The photo shows a Roman cavalry helmet with a face mask made of silver plated bronze. An eagle is perched on the forehead. It's framed by wings and snakes.

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

A charming little #AncientGreek pottery vessel in the shape of a seashell, made about 2400 years ago #Archaeology #AncientBlueSky

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Nina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

For #RomanSiteSaturday let's go to a huge pile of #trash - Monte Testaccio in #Rome. A huge artificial hill located next to the Tiber River. It was made up of millions of broken amphorae (mostly oil amphorae from southern Spain) during the first three centuries AD www.elnacional.cat/es/cultura/r...

A vast accumulation of broken amphorae pieces, stacked in a cascading formation. The scene has an earthy color palette, with shades of brown, beige, and gray. Light filters in from above, illuminating the top of the pile, while the lower sections remain in shadow.

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

That is a really interesting evolution - I agree that she was probably more like the Barbaren Thusnelda in real life (but not so extreme), so if the shows helps to get people thinking about who she really was, all the better!

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I did know, but find it very odd - is there a reason why she has been picked out like this?

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I am usually Team Varus all the way, but had to give this a go!

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

That is the million-dollar question. It isn't clear if this type of facemask was worn in battle or was purely ceremonial or parade kit; this one was found on a battlefield, but it was an ambush which the Romans weren't expecting to fight, so might have been baggage not active fighting kit

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The iron base of a #Roman helmet facemask, from the Romano-German battlefield at Kalkriese (Germany) - site of a Roman defeat, probably the AD Varus Disaster. It originally had a silver top layer which was stripped off during looting - giving it a particularly haunting look... #AncientBlueSky

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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

This Roman perfume bottle shaped like a bird is 2,000 years old, yet it looks like a modern design! 📷 Corning Museum of Glass glasscollection.cmog.org/objects/7194... #Archaeology

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A lovely #Roman pottery vessel, with the image of a peacock delicately scratched into the surface. I suspect this was once a much-beloved belonging for someone living 1700+ years ago #AncientBlueSky #Archaeology

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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Roman stone altar with a horned god believed to have been a fertility god native to the North East of ‘Britannia’ Durham University Museum of Archaeology 📷 by me #ReliefWednesday #Archaeology

My photo shows a weathered stone relief depicting a human-like figure, standing looking back at the viewer, with a round face, with rudimentary eyes, nose, and mouth. There are what seem to be two straight horns on top of the head. On the upper body the nipples are marked by engraved circles. The carved details of the lower body are indistinct, possibly a very large phallus?

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

A #Roman glass vessel in the shape of a bunch of grapes - hopefully once used to hold wine, as it would be such a fitting role for it! 🍇🍷 #AncientBlueSky

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Dr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

A #Roman terracotta oil lamp decorated with the image of two gladiators. One is lying defeated on the ground, with his victorious opponent standing above him, shield raised in triumph - waiting for the signal as to whether his fallen foe should live or die? 🏺 #AncientBlueSky #Archaeology

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