Herculaneum artifact: Throne
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The surviving remnants of an ancient Roman throne have been discovered in the buried city of Herculaneum. Made of ivory and wood, the rare find was located 82ft (25m) below ground near Herculaneum's Villa dei Papiri, a first century country home that is believed to have been the residence of Julius Caesar's father-in-law, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus. Until now such thrones have only ever been seen in paintings or made of marble, therefore this unique find is the first ever Roman throne that has survived time.
Annotations:
The throne is adorned with carved illustrations that is believed to be associated with the mysterious cult of the Phrygian god Attis which spread throughout the Roman Empire, officialised during the reign of Claudius (41 to 54 AD). One of the recovered pieces (Fig 1.) depicts a figure (presumably Attis) standing beneath a sacred pine tree, gathering pine cones. Pine cones were used to symbolise both masculinity and fertility because of its phallic shape. The pine was sacred to the Roman gods Juniper (Zeus) and Bacchus (Dionysus). Pine cones are depicted on another piece of the throne, (Fig 2.) where two winged figures (cherubs or followers?) are seen next to a tall, imposing figure who could either Attis or one of the cults priests.
According to classical mythology, Attis was a handsome youth, loved by the goddess Cybele. In a jealous passion she caused him to go mad, whereupon he castrated himself and died. Attis has therefore also been related to the cycle of life and death and has been linked to the change of seasons.
Holiday Homes:
Herculaneum was a port town established by the ancient Romans with a population of around 4,000 citizens. By the first century AD the Campanian coast had become a summer retreat for wealthy Romans, including emperors who wished to escape the fast pace of the capital.Many Romans with high statuses in within society either owned permanent or seasonal residences in Herculaneum. A large number of villas were built along the coastline of Herculaneum, overlooking the Bay of Naples to the west while also maintaining prime access to the beach.
Calpurnius Caesonius Piso, the father-in-law of Julius Caesar, is believed to have owned the Villa of the Papyri on the northern outskirts of Herculaneum. Furthermore the emperor Tiberius may also have owned a large villa near Herculaneum. Titus who became emperor n the year of 79AD, apparently made a short visit to Herculaneum prior to the eruption.
Conclusions:
The pyroclastic surges that struck Herculaneum had an overwhelming temperature of 400°C. This extreme heat caused unique results upon the organic material (wood, plants, food, etc.) within the homes in Herculaneum.
These organic materials, most commonly the furniture (i.e. the throne), experienced carbonisation. Initiated at a heat of over 250°C, this process strips organic objects of all its moisture therefore preserving them from any decay.
The preservation of this throne was based solely on the unique conditions of Mt Vesuvius's eruption. This eruption has granted researchers the opportunity to study this rare find that could have possibly been the throne of the emperor Julius Caesar. If so it can could provide new evidence and knowledge on an aspect of the Roman monarchy.
The throne is adorned with carved illustrations that is believed to be associated with the mysterious cult of the Phrygian god Attis which spread throughout the Roman Empire, officialised during the reign of Claudius (41 to 54 AD). One of the recovered pieces (Fig 1.) depicts a figure (presumably Attis) standing beneath a sacred pine tree, gathering pine cones. Pine cones were used to symbolise both masculinity and fertility because of its phallic shape. The pine was sacred to the Roman gods Juniper (Zeus) and Bacchus (Dionysus). Pine cones are depicted on another piece of the throne, (Fig 2.) where two winged figures (cherubs or followers?) are seen next to a tall, imposing figure who could either Attis or one of the cults priests.
According to classical mythology, Attis was a handsome youth, loved by the goddess Cybele. In a jealous passion she caused him to go mad, whereupon he castrated himself and died. Attis has therefore also been related to the cycle of life and death and has been linked to the change of seasons.
Holiday Homes:
Herculaneum was a port town established by the ancient Romans with a population of around 4,000 citizens. By the first century AD the Campanian coast had become a summer retreat for wealthy Romans, including emperors who wished to escape the fast pace of the capital.Many Romans with high statuses in within society either owned permanent or seasonal residences in Herculaneum. A large number of villas were built along the coastline of Herculaneum, overlooking the Bay of Naples to the west while also maintaining prime access to the beach.
Calpurnius Caesonius Piso, the father-in-law of Julius Caesar, is believed to have owned the Villa of the Papyri on the northern outskirts of Herculaneum. Furthermore the emperor Tiberius may also have owned a large villa near Herculaneum. Titus who became emperor n the year of 79AD, apparently made a short visit to Herculaneum prior to the eruption.
Conclusions:
The pyroclastic surges that struck Herculaneum had an overwhelming temperature of 400°C. This extreme heat caused unique results upon the organic material (wood, plants, food, etc.) within the homes in Herculaneum.
These organic materials, most commonly the furniture (i.e. the throne), experienced carbonisation. Initiated at a heat of over 250°C, this process strips organic objects of all its moisture therefore preserving them from any decay.
The preservation of this throne was based solely on the unique conditions of Mt Vesuvius's eruption. This eruption has granted researchers the opportunity to study this rare find that could have possibly been the throne of the emperor Julius Caesar. If so it can could provide new evidence and knowledge on an aspect of the Roman monarchy.