A Closer Look: Episode 28 - The Torlonia Relief
The ancient city of Rome was one of the world’s great metropolises, with a thriving trade running in and out of the city of Ostia.
As the population and balance of trade both grew, however, this port at the mouth of the Tiber River was no longer equal to the task of receiving so many ships and goods from across the Mediterranean. A giant artificial basin, Trajan’s Port or Portus, was constructed nearby instead, and is still visible near Rome's Fiumicino airport.
In this episode, archaeologist and Latin scholar Dr Mary Jane Cuyler introduces us to the Torlonia Relief, a large sculptural work that was excavated in the 19th century close to the present location of Rome’s Fiumicino airport.
There are excellent images from the relief and further information here.
Image courtesy of Carole Raddato (Flickr, CC BY SA 2.0)
Dr Mary Jane Cuyler
Dr Mary Jane Cuyler is an archaeologist and Latin scholar with extensive experience working on excavations in Greece and Italy.
Dr Kathleen Olive
Kathleen is a specialist in Italian language and literature and has led tours to Italy, France, Spain, the USA, Japan and Australasia for more than fifteen years. Kathleen is a director of Limelight Arts Travel.