Verdex
Verdex
28 March 2023, 20:24

From Gades to Rome: silver bowls with a route of 2723 kilometers

From Gades to Rome: silver bowls with a route of 2723 kilometers
In 1852, among the ruins of the Aquae Apollinares bath complex near the ancient Roman imperial villa Vicarello (Trevignano Romano, Lazio), four silver bowls were discovered, which, in their appearance, resemble stone pillars placed along Roman roads. On the surface are engraved the names of the settlements that make up the route from Roman Gades (present-day Cadiz, Spain) to Rome.
It has not yet been possible to accurately date the artifacts; according to various sources, they were made in the period from the 1st century BC. BC e. until the 3rd century n. e. The height of the cups is different and is 9.5–11.5 cm. The indicated route, 2723 km long, ran through 104 stopping points. Thus, bowls could serve as a map. According to one version, the items belonged to merchants who were heading to Rome. However, it is not clear how the goblets ended up at Villa Vicarello, as it is away from the indicated route. Perhaps the travelers gave the bowls to the emperor Domitian, who built the villa, or to subsequent owners. Later, all four items ended up in the baths of the Aquae Apollinares in Vicarello, probably as an offering to Apollo.
In addition to bowls, numerous other valuable finds were found in the former bath complex: about 5,000 bronze coins; gold, silver and bronze dishes, several figurines. Most of these items ended up in the National Roman Museum, others were sent for storage to the Vatican Museums.

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