Ancient Life

Stories about how people lived thousands of years ago, and the art they made

Featured Stories

See Persepolis as It Was 2500 Years Ago

Computer rendering of a large stone entryway of an ancient building flanked by two larger-than-life bull statues.

A new video recreates an ancient site

So You Want to Be an Ancient Roman Soldier

Copper alloy Roman legionary helmet

For the unprivileged, serving in the ancient Roman army was a path to wealth building, social climbing, and citizenship

Power in a Mummy Portrait

Look closely at this beautiful mummy portrait on display at the Getty Villa and you’ll find powerful signs of wealth, status, and beauty

Latest

  1. Would you drink out of a 2,000-year-old silver stag?

    An intricately carved silver vessel that is half horn and half stag

    Explore the ancient artistry of a Parthian Empire luxury wine vessel

    Dec 12, 2024

  2. An Ancient Roman Toy Skeleton

    A partial skeleton carved out of green stone

    Guess who's coming to dinner?

    Oct 31, 2024

  3. Ancient Thrace and Its Treasures Highlighted in Major Getty Exhibition

    A gold and silver figurine with a face.

    Exhibition examines the cultural relations between ancient Thrace, Greece, and Rome

    Oct 22, 2024

  4. The Evolution of Medusa: Monster, Victim, or Maiden?

    A painting of a woman's head. Her mouth is open in a scream, blood drips from her neck, and she has snakes for hair

    This Halloween, let’s take a closer look at a misunderstood figure

    Oct 16, 2024

  5. Ancient Burials: Instructions (Not Always) Included

    White text over a gold background reads "Ancient Burials, instructions not always included"

    A look at life after death in the ancient world

    Oct 10, 2024

  6. Do We Know What Ancient Romans Looked Like?

    A portrait bust of an ancient Roman. Text: Did his hair look like this? Did he have a beard?

    Curator Jens Daehner tells us how to see more than faces at the Getty Villa

    Sep 26, 2024

  7. Excavating Your Pantry for an Ancient Roman Meal

    Wall painting of two men holding a small mammal while one cuts it with a knife, standing in a room with a large silver vessel and a pillar with a tray of food

    Three simple recipes to help you eat like a Roman

    Aug 13, 2024

  8. New Book Explores Secrecy and Production of Knowledge in the Byzantine Empire

    The Secrets We Keep book cover

    The author explores the medieval and Byzantine practices of secret keeping around religious objects, military history, and imperial ceremony

    Jun 26, 2024

  9. Your (Medieval) Cancer Horoscope

    A detail of an illumination. A lobster-like creature is inside a golden circle, surrounded by red stars

    It’s phlegmatic season. Here’s what you should know for the month

    Jun 20, 2024

  10. So You Want to Be an Ancient Roman Soldier

    Copper alloy Roman legionary helmet

    For the unprivileged, serving in the ancient Roman army was a path to wealth building, social climbing, and citizenship

    Jun 12, 2024