Extremely Rare Ancient Gold Glass With Goddess Roma Found During Subway Works In Rome

Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com - An extremely rare and beautiful ancient gold glass depicting Goddess Roma has been unearthed during construction works for the Metro C station at Porta Metronia in Rome, Italy.

The precious artifact is unique because it is the first time that any representation of Roma in gold glass has ever been found, according to archaeologist Simona Morretta of Rome's special superintendence.

Credit: Roberto Gualtieri

In ancient Roman religion, Goddess Roma was the personification of Rome and the Roman state. She is usually depicted in military form in Roman art and coinage, with a helmet and weapons. In Rome's eastern provinces, she was often shown with a mural crown, cornucopia, or both.

According to scientists, the unearthed ancient gold glass artifact" did not belong to the military barracks found during the subway works - which was abandoned in the middle of the third century and subsequently razed to the ground - with preliminary studies suggesting the glass is from the start of the fourth century," Wanted in Rome reports. The piece was originally the base of a drinking glass.

According to Wanted in Rome, "gold glass is a luxury form of glass where a decorative design in gold leaf is fused between two layers of glass.

The majority of surviving Roman examples are the cut-off bottoms of drinking glasses.

"The millennial history of our city never ceases to amaze and enchant the world," Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri commented on the recent archaeological discovery.

Gualtieri also said Porta Metronia will be opened in late 2024. it will be a "metro station-museum," displaying the archaeological finds yielded during its construction, including the gold glass.

Written by Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com Staff Writer