FRAGMENT OF FRIEZE, C. 120 CE. BASILICA OF NEPTUNE This piece of Luni marble was found following demolitions for the isolation of the Pantheon from the later buildings attached to it, in the late C19. It's part of the long frieze going around the huge hall called the Basilica of Neptune, initially built by Agrippa and subsequently rebuilt by Hadrian, retaining the same marine imagery. A drawing around the fragment indicates the missing elements. Pairs of evil Roman dolphins seem to be discussing attack plans, with their heads downward and tails up. A sort of palmette separates them. A trident stands atop a shell which divides this dolphin from a mirrored version of itself on the other side. These marine elements refer to the triumph of Augustus at the sea battle of Actium. Above, we have an excellent series of Roman decorative frames: first, a Lesbian kymation, then dentils, then a row of beads, and at top an egg and dart motif.
#ReliefWednesday reintroduces us to those toothy charmers, evil #Roman #dolphins, on the #frieze of the #BasilicaofNeptune at the back of the #Pantheon in #Rome. These marine elements, including shells and tridents, allude to the victory of #Augustus at the sea battle of #Actium. #AncientBluesky 🏺
