Terracotta medallion

late 2nd–early 3rd century CE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 168

The appliqué depicts a charioteer in his quadriga, holding the victor’s crown and palm branch. In Rome chariot racing was organized into teams, each identified by a color—red, white, blue, or green. The Latin inscription to the left on the medallion indicates that the victor belonged to the Greens. The Roman circus factions, who supported the different teams, were as fanatical and devoted as modern sports fans.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Terracotta medallion
Period: Mid-Imperial
Date: late 2nd–early 3rd century CE
Culture: Roman
Medium: Terracotta; Rhône valley ware
Dimensions: width 3 5/8in. (9.2cm)
Classification: Vases
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.194.2125
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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