• amphora
    A storage vessel usually having a large oval body with a narrow neck and two or more handles extending from the body of the vessel to the rim.
  • apodyterium
    The dressing room of a Roman bath.
  • bouleuterion
    A council building or assembly hall.
  • caesti
    Boxing gloves composed of strips of leather weighted with lead or iron and wrapped around the hands and forearms.
  • caldarium
    The hot room in a Roman bath, sometimes containing a hot-water plunge.
  • chlamys
    A short cloak or wrap worn by men.
  • emblema (plural emblemata)
    The centerpiece of a mosaic; usually a small picture panel with figural representations set into a large floor mosaic.
  • frigidarium
    The cold room in a Roman bath, sometimes containing a cold-water plunge.
  • guilloche
    A decorative pattern created by two or more twisted bands or lines, often giving the effect of a braid.
  • kantharos (plural kantharoi)
    A drinking vessel featuring a deep bowl set on a tall stem with two side handles extending from the bottom of the vessel to the rim.
  • kerykeion
    A herald’s staff or wand with two snakes entwined around it, often crowned by two wings. Also known as a caduceus.
  • krater
    A large vessel with a wide mouth and two side handles, generally used for mixing wine and water.
  • missorium
    A large plate.
  • nymphaion (plural nymphaea)
    A monument dedicated to the nymphs. Nymphaea served as reservoirs, sanctuaries, and places of leisure.
  • odeion
    A building or other roofed structure used for musical performances.
  • opus mixtum
    A Roman construction technique that uses a combination of different types of brickwork.
  • opus sectile
    A mosaic technique used to decorate floors and walls in which designs are created by fitting together pieces of stone or glass larger than the small cubes used in tesserae.
  • opus signinum
    A mortar pavement made of concrete mixed with crushed tile or stone chips.
  • opus tessellatum
    Mosaic technique using small cubes of stone or glass known as tesserae to form ornamental patterns and figural scenes.
  • opus vermiculatum
    A technique used to decorate floors and walls in which tiny pieces of irregular stone are used to create extremely detailed picture mosaics.
  • pilae
    Pillars composed of stacked tiles; used to raise the floor of a caldarium to allow heating from below.
  • situla
    A bucket-shaped vessel, often having handles.
  • terrazzo
    A concrete mixed with chips of marble or stone; used especially as a decorative surfacing on floors and walls.
  • tesserae
    Small square or cubed pieces of hand-cut stone, glass, or terracotta used in the making of a mosaic.
  • thyrsus
    A staff of fennel topped with a pinecone and sometimes twined with ivy leaves and vines.
  • triclinium
    The dining room of a Roman house.
  • venatio (plural venationes)
    A type of entertainment held in Roman arenas that involved the staged hunting and killing of wild animals.