Oud-Romeins, Keizerrijk Terracotta Oud-Romeins theaterticket van keizer Vitellius

Ancient Roman Theatre Ticket of Emperor VitelliusRoman Empire, AD 69Terracotta TesseraWeight: 2.0 gDimensions: 20.9 × 18.5 × 4.9 mm From a Private European Collection.An outstanding and historically fascinating Roman terracotta theatre admission tessera bearing the portrait of Emperor Vitellius, one of the four emperors who ruled Rome during the turbulent year of AD 69.The small terracotta token bears a remarkably expressive laureate imperial portrait facing right, impressed deeply into the clay. Despite its diminutive size, the portrait retains excellent detail, with the facial features, hair, laurel wreath and powerful profile clearly visible.The irregular shape and plain reverse are characteristic of the simple and economical production of terracotta tesserae: a prepared piece of clay could be impressed with a reusable die or seal and produced efficiently in considerable numbers.A Ticket to Entertainment in Ancient Rome:Public entertainment occupied an extraordinary place in Roman society. Theatres, amphitheatres, circuses and other spectacles attracted enormous audiences and brought together people from virtually every level of Roman society.The Romans used tesserae as tokens serving a variety of functions, including admission and identification. Particularly fascinating are terracotta examples associated with admission to public spectacles. Clay was inexpensive, readily available and ideally suited to the rapid production of... lees verder bij Catawiki