Brittunculus
@brittunculus.bsky.social
History/classics MA. Living with DPDR.
"The climate is wretched” - Tacitus
#RomanBritain
"The climate is wretched” - Tacitus
#RomanBritain
Pinned
Brittunculus
@brittunculus.bsky.social
· Nov 19
A fragment of a military intelligence report from the Roman fort at Vindolanda, on the northern frontier of #RomanBritain. The thin, postcard-sized wooden tablet describes the fighting style of the native Britons, disparagingly referred to as BRITTUNCULI or 'Little Brits.'
#EpigraphyTuesday
#EpigraphyTuesday
Coin of iron-age King Cunobelinus depicting Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. With one face he looks back at the past while the other peers into future. Appropriately, the month January is named after him.
Early C.1st
Happy new year!
#RomanBritain #IronAge #ReliefWednesday
Early C.1st
Happy new year!
#RomanBritain #IronAge #ReliefWednesday
December 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Coin of iron-age King Cunobelinus depicting Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. With one face he looks back at the past while the other peers into future. Appropriately, the month January is named after him.
Early C.1st
Happy new year!
#RomanBritain #IronAge #ReliefWednesday
Early C.1st
Happy new year!
#RomanBritain #IronAge #ReliefWednesday
Reposted by Brittunculus
In the ancient #Roman world, even steelyard weights (counterbalances) could be made with first class artistry. Here, this bronze weight is shaped into the bust of a man, perhaps a Greek philosopher (or maybe the merchant!). 🏺 1/
Romano-British, 1st or 2nd c. CE, from London. #BritishMuseum
📸 me
Romano-British, 1st or 2nd c. CE, from London. #BritishMuseum
📸 me
December 29, 2025 at 9:11 PM
In the ancient #Roman world, even steelyard weights (counterbalances) could be made with first class artistry. Here, this bronze weight is shaped into the bust of a man, perhaps a Greek philosopher (or maybe the merchant!). 🏺 1/
Romano-British, 1st or 2nd c. CE, from London. #BritishMuseum
📸 me
Romano-British, 1st or 2nd c. CE, from London. #BritishMuseum
📸 me
Reposted by Brittunculus
December 27, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Martial also suggested as #Saturnalia gifts a pig, an axe, a parrot and tables. Generous, but awkward to wrap. 🙄
🌟 #Sigillaria, the last day of #Saturnalia, was for gift-giving: candles, figs, figurines, dice, lamps, toys, & pets. On 23 Dec, Larentalia honoured the Lares & Acca Larentia, Romulus & Remus’ nurse, celebrating household spirits and the protection of home & family.
December 23, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Martial also suggested as #Saturnalia gifts a pig, an axe, a parrot and tables. Generous, but awkward to wrap. 🙄
Reposted by Brittunculus
Looking for a Christmas gift that’s protective, portable and a little bit outrageous? Adopt a Roman flying phallus.
Perfect for the impossible-to-buy-for friend, AND adoptions help conserve objects at Colchester Museums. Adopt: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject
Perfect for the impossible-to-buy-for friend, AND adoptions help conserve objects at Colchester Museums. Adopt: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject
December 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Looking for a Christmas gift that’s protective, portable and a little bit outrageous? Adopt a Roman flying phallus.
Perfect for the impossible-to-buy-for friend, AND adoptions help conserve objects at Colchester Museums. Adopt: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject
Perfect for the impossible-to-buy-for friend, AND adoptions help conserve objects at Colchester Museums. Adopt: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject
'Winter' from Caerwent, Wales (now in Newport Museum) wears a hooded cloak against the cold & wet, maybe the 'birrus Britannicus' mentioned in Diocletian's Price Edict of AD301.
A birrus was worth 6,000 denarii. Price details of Winter's furry mosaic companions in the ALT texts.
#MosaicMonday
📸 me
A birrus was worth 6,000 denarii. Price details of Winter's furry mosaic companions in the ALT texts.
#MosaicMonday
📸 me
December 22, 2025 at 9:59 AM
'Winter' from Caerwent, Wales (now in Newport Museum) wears a hooded cloak against the cold & wet, maybe the 'birrus Britannicus' mentioned in Diocletian's Price Edict of AD301.
A birrus was worth 6,000 denarii. Price details of Winter's furry mosaic companions in the ALT texts.
#MosaicMonday
📸 me
A birrus was worth 6,000 denarii. Price details of Winter's furry mosaic companions in the ALT texts.
#MosaicMonday
📸 me
Reposted by Brittunculus
Its #FindsFriday!
During our curator's work repacking the Trosley Roman Villa & Bathhouse excavation archive Andy came across this lovely little tile fragment with another pawprint on it.
We aren't entirely sure what animal this came from; what are your thoughts?
Let us know in the comments!
During our curator's work repacking the Trosley Roman Villa & Bathhouse excavation archive Andy came across this lovely little tile fragment with another pawprint on it.
We aren't entirely sure what animal this came from; what are your thoughts?
Let us know in the comments!
December 19, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Its #FindsFriday!
During our curator's work repacking the Trosley Roman Villa & Bathhouse excavation archive Andy came across this lovely little tile fragment with another pawprint on it.
We aren't entirely sure what animal this came from; what are your thoughts?
Let us know in the comments!
During our curator's work repacking the Trosley Roman Villa & Bathhouse excavation archive Andy came across this lovely little tile fragment with another pawprint on it.
We aren't entirely sure what animal this came from; what are your thoughts?
Let us know in the comments!
#FindsFriday: A 'dragonesque' brooch from the British Museum. Its belly is inlaid with coloured enamel, and the pin (missing) would have fitted on the back between the two necks. These wonderfully sinuous brooches were popular in the decades after the Roman invasion.
#RomanBritain
📸 me
#RomanBritain
📸 me
December 19, 2025 at 1:57 PM
#FindsFriday: A 'dragonesque' brooch from the British Museum. Its belly is inlaid with coloured enamel, and the pin (missing) would have fitted on the back between the two necks. These wonderfully sinuous brooches were popular in the decades after the Roman invasion.
#RomanBritain
📸 me
#RomanBritain
📸 me
Reposted by Brittunculus
What are you doing to celebrate the start of the Saturnalia festival? I am having my traditional Saturnalia feast with some delicious ancient Roman food and wine! 🍷
#Saturnalia 🪔
#Saturnalia 🪔
December 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
What are you doing to celebrate the start of the Saturnalia festival? I am having my traditional Saturnalia feast with some delicious ancient Roman food and wine! 🍷
#Saturnalia 🪔
#Saturnalia 🪔
Reposted by Brittunculus
Testing, testing, 1-2-3. After much fafftootling around in the guts of Wordpress and PHP, prodding of reluctant backups, and many, many very, very naughty words, you can try out our restored website here: rme45762.live-website.com
Roman Military Equipment – From Start to Finish
rme45762.live-website.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Testing, testing, 1-2-3. After much fafftootling around in the guts of Wordpress and PHP, prodding of reluctant backups, and many, many very, very naughty words, you can try out our restored website here: rme45762.live-website.com
Reposted by Brittunculus
Io Saturnalia!
December 16, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Io Saturnalia!
Reposted by Brittunculus
#MosaicMonday
It's Christmas party time, for mortals and mythical beings alike. Here Silenus, mentor of Bacchus, might be making his way home after a good night out on his long-suffering donkey. Wine cup still in hand.
From a C.2nd mosaic now in @coriniummuseum.bsky.social, Cirencester.
📸 mine 2022
It's Christmas party time, for mortals and mythical beings alike. Here Silenus, mentor of Bacchus, might be making his way home after a good night out on his long-suffering donkey. Wine cup still in hand.
From a C.2nd mosaic now in @coriniummuseum.bsky.social, Cirencester.
📸 mine 2022
December 15, 2025 at 8:12 AM
#MosaicMonday
It's Christmas party time, for mortals and mythical beings alike. Here Silenus, mentor of Bacchus, might be making his way home after a good night out on his long-suffering donkey. Wine cup still in hand.
From a C.2nd mosaic now in @coriniummuseum.bsky.social, Cirencester.
📸 mine 2022
It's Christmas party time, for mortals and mythical beings alike. Here Silenus, mentor of Bacchus, might be making his way home after a good night out on his long-suffering donkey. Wine cup still in hand.
From a C.2nd mosaic now in @coriniummuseum.bsky.social, Cirencester.
📸 mine 2022
#MosaicMonday
It's Christmas party time, for mortals and mythical beings alike. Here Silenus, mentor of Bacchus, might be making his way home after a good night out on his long-suffering donkey. Wine cup still in hand.
From a C.2nd mosaic now in @coriniummuseum.bsky.social, Cirencester.
📸 mine 2022
It's Christmas party time, for mortals and mythical beings alike. Here Silenus, mentor of Bacchus, might be making his way home after a good night out on his long-suffering donkey. Wine cup still in hand.
From a C.2nd mosaic now in @coriniummuseum.bsky.social, Cirencester.
📸 mine 2022
December 15, 2025 at 8:12 AM
#MosaicMonday
It's Christmas party time, for mortals and mythical beings alike. Here Silenus, mentor of Bacchus, might be making his way home after a good night out on his long-suffering donkey. Wine cup still in hand.
From a C.2nd mosaic now in @coriniummuseum.bsky.social, Cirencester.
📸 mine 2022
It's Christmas party time, for mortals and mythical beings alike. Here Silenus, mentor of Bacchus, might be making his way home after a good night out on his long-suffering donkey. Wine cup still in hand.
From a C.2nd mosaic now in @coriniummuseum.bsky.social, Cirencester.
📸 mine 2022
Reposted by Brittunculus
Now the site of present-day Canterbury, Kent, Durovernum Cantiacorum was the 'civitas' capital of the Cantiaci nation in Roman Britain. (Canterbury Roman Museum) #RomanSiteSaturday
December 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Now the site of present-day Canterbury, Kent, Durovernum Cantiacorum was the 'civitas' capital of the Cantiaci nation in Roman Britain. (Canterbury Roman Museum) #RomanSiteSaturday
Reposted by Brittunculus
Want to explore Roman cemeteries closer to home? Join our Trimontium Talk this Thursday at 7:30 pm (UK): “Till death us do part: Roman Cemeteries and the mystery of the missing Trimontium mausolea.” — Online and in person, book through our website or link tree.
December 10, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Want to explore Roman cemeteries closer to home? Join our Trimontium Talk this Thursday at 7:30 pm (UK): “Till death us do part: Roman Cemeteries and the mystery of the missing Trimontium mausolea.” — Online and in person, book through our website or link tree.
Every 9th Dec. emperors would lay down their 'tribunician powers' only to be granted them again the next day: a nice legal fiction that harked back to the #Roman Republic.
But also handy for dating. The abbreviation TRIB POT XIIII in this 😍 dedication dates it neatly to 129/130.
#EpigraphyTuesday
But also handy for dating. The abbreviation TRIB POT XIIII in this 😍 dedication dates it neatly to 129/130.
#EpigraphyTuesday
December 9, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Every 9th Dec. emperors would lay down their 'tribunician powers' only to be granted them again the next day: a nice legal fiction that harked back to the #Roman Republic.
But also handy for dating. The abbreviation TRIB POT XIIII in this 😍 dedication dates it neatly to 129/130.
#EpigraphyTuesday
But also handy for dating. The abbreviation TRIB POT XIIII in this 😍 dedication dates it neatly to 129/130.
#EpigraphyTuesday
December 9, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Every 9th Dec. emperors would lay down their 'tribunician powers' only to be granted them again the next day: a nice legal fiction that harked back to the #Roman Republic.
But also handy for dating. The abbreviation TRIB POT XIIII in this 😍 dedication dates it neatly to 129/130.
#EpigraphyTuesday
But also handy for dating. The abbreviation TRIB POT XIIII in this 😍 dedication dates it neatly to 129/130.
#EpigraphyTuesday
Reposted by Brittunculus
Between 1828-9 Samuel Hasell excavated a villa at Pitney #Somerset
Sheds were built to protect the villa but sadly they had gone by 1836 and so had the mosaics 😞
All we have left are lithographs like this one by Hasell of Cadmus thrashing a python*
*don't Google this 😬
Happy #MosaicMonday
Sheds were built to protect the villa but sadly they had gone by 1836 and so had the mosaics 😞
All we have left are lithographs like this one by Hasell of Cadmus thrashing a python*
*don't Google this 😬
Happy #MosaicMonday
December 8, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Between 1828-9 Samuel Hasell excavated a villa at Pitney #Somerset
Sheds were built to protect the villa but sadly they had gone by 1836 and so had the mosaics 😞
All we have left are lithographs like this one by Hasell of Cadmus thrashing a python*
*don't Google this 😬
Happy #MosaicMonday
Sheds were built to protect the villa but sadly they had gone by 1836 and so had the mosaics 😞
All we have left are lithographs like this one by Hasell of Cadmus thrashing a python*
*don't Google this 😬
Happy #MosaicMonday
Mosaic of a gorgon's head from the bathhouse at Bignor Roman Villa in Sussex. This strategically placed emblem averted the evil eye when bathers were naked in the changing room, vulnerable to malign influence. Her snaky hair has been writhing since the early C.4th.
📸 mygf
#MosaicMonday #RomanBritain
📸 mygf
#MosaicMonday #RomanBritain
December 8, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Mosaic of a gorgon's head from the bathhouse at Bignor Roman Villa in Sussex. This strategically placed emblem averted the evil eye when bathers were naked in the changing room, vulnerable to malign influence. Her snaky hair has been writhing since the early C.4th.
📸 mygf
#MosaicMonday #RomanBritain
📸 mygf
#MosaicMonday #RomanBritain
A reminder that the Romans knew a thing or two about hydraulic engineering 👇
December 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
A reminder that the Romans knew a thing or two about hydraulic engineering 👇
#RomanSiteSaturday
From the first century the Great Bath at Bath (Somerset) caught the outflow from Britain's only hot spring for Roman bathers to enjoy.
Water still enters through the original stone culvert and although the vaulted roof has gone, lead pipes remain in situ in the pavement 👀.
📸 me
From the first century the Great Bath at Bath (Somerset) caught the outflow from Britain's only hot spring for Roman bathers to enjoy.
Water still enters through the original stone culvert and although the vaulted roof has gone, lead pipes remain in situ in the pavement 👀.
📸 me
December 5, 2025 at 10:06 PM
#RomanSiteSaturday
From the first century the Great Bath at Bath (Somerset) caught the outflow from Britain's only hot spring for Roman bathers to enjoy.
Water still enters through the original stone culvert and although the vaulted roof has gone, lead pipes remain in situ in the pavement 👀.
📸 me
From the first century the Great Bath at Bath (Somerset) caught the outflow from Britain's only hot spring for Roman bathers to enjoy.
Water still enters through the original stone culvert and although the vaulted roof has gone, lead pipes remain in situ in the pavement 👀.
📸 me
Reposted by Brittunculus
Copper alloy figurine of Capricorn, found in 2012 by a metal detectorist in the Mendips. The goat/fish collision was the emblem of Legio II Augusta which had its fortress first at Exeter and then Caerleon across the Severn. Now in @museumofsomerset.bsky.social.
#RomanFortThursday
#FindsFriday
1/2
#RomanFortThursday
#FindsFriday
1/2
December 3, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Copper alloy figurine of Capricorn, found in 2012 by a metal detectorist in the Mendips. The goat/fish collision was the emblem of Legio II Augusta which had its fortress first at Exeter and then Caerleon across the Severn. Now in @museumofsomerset.bsky.social.
#RomanFortThursday
#FindsFriday
1/2
#RomanFortThursday
#FindsFriday
1/2
Copper alloy figurine of Capricorn, found in 2012 by a metal detectorist in the Mendips. The goat/fish collision was the emblem of Legio II Augusta which had its fortress first at Exeter and then Caerleon across the Severn. Now in @museumofsomerset.bsky.social.
#RomanFortThursday
#FindsFriday
1/2
#RomanFortThursday
#FindsFriday
1/2
December 3, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Copper alloy figurine of Capricorn, found in 2012 by a metal detectorist in the Mendips. The goat/fish collision was the emblem of Legio II Augusta which had its fortress first at Exeter and then Caerleon across the Severn. Now in @museumofsomerset.bsky.social.
#RomanFortThursday
#FindsFriday
1/2
#RomanFortThursday
#FindsFriday
1/2
Reposted by Brittunculus
A Roman funerary monument found at the fort of Verbeia (Ilkley) and now in the local museum. I wonder if they thought their images would still be gazed upon over 1800 years later
December 3, 2025 at 12:14 PM
A Roman funerary monument found at the fort of Verbeia (Ilkley) and now in the local museum. I wonder if they thought their images would still be gazed upon over 1800 years later
Reposted by Brittunculus
Have you ever tasted medlar fruits? They are ancient sweet tasting fruits, that need to soften before eating. Not as popular nowadays, they were brought to Britain by the Romans.
This medlar fruit stone was discovered at the Roman town near Silchester. 1934.114.3.586 Reading Museum
#FridayFinds
This medlar fruit stone was discovered at the Roman town near Silchester. 1934.114.3.586 Reading Museum
#FridayFinds
November 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Have you ever tasted medlar fruits? They are ancient sweet tasting fruits, that need to soften before eating. Not as popular nowadays, they were brought to Britain by the Romans.
This medlar fruit stone was discovered at the Roman town near Silchester. 1934.114.3.586 Reading Museum
#FridayFinds
This medlar fruit stone was discovered at the Roman town near Silchester. 1934.114.3.586 Reading Museum
#FridayFinds