Two sides of a 'janiform' (two-faced) Etruscan kantharos. On the left, a horned satyr; on the right, a maenad. Both are followers of the god Dionysos (the Etruscan Fufluns - I love that name!), entirely appropriate for a wine cup. Traces of original pigments are still visible. 🏺 1/ 📸 me

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Don’t forget to thank Hercules. That club is the same size as the man! Wall painting showing a man making an offering to a statue of Hercules (Ostia, Necropolis of Via Laurentina tomb 27, Second half 2nd century CE) 🏺 #AncientBluesky

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#OnThisDay in AD 1644, Manchu regent Dorgon defeated rebel leader Li Zicheng of the Shun Dynasty at the Battle of Shanhai Pass, allowing the Manchus to enter and conquer the capital city of Beijing. The decisive battle led to the beginning of Qing Dynasty rule in China 🏺 1/2

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For #ReliefWednesday a glimpse into everyday life in the Roman Empire: this relief from #Ostia shows a vegetable and flower seller behind a market stall, presenting a carefully arranged display of goods. Dating late 2nd/early 3rd century AD 📷Archaeological Museum Ostia

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“La Manche Mirage” “Fata Morgana Mirage” - rare phenomenon A complex mirage seen just above the horizon - several inverted & upright images stack on top of each other. Perhaps we were seeing ships? Off Varaville, Normandy, France.

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