I just spotted this interesting article in artnet news, with an in-depth follow-up article from Cambridge University Press. What sparked this article was a cast bronze key handle unearthed in Roman Leicester, pictured below. Bronze key handle, 120 mm, 304 gm, https://news.artnet.com/art-world/a...noon&utm_term=US Daily Newsletter [AFTERNOON] https://www.cambridge.org/core/jour...om-leicester/225722F22B16E4F96449FBC03E262BB2
When I saw this story on Twitter this morning, my first thought was 'Hercules and the Nemean lion', similar to this 2nd century Roman marble in the Hermitage collection.
Ditto. I was truly surprised when I saw that the authors didn’t really discuss this possibility in their article…
As often, my favourite blog includes a more detailed description and more images: http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61960 Apparently it was found nearby a newly discovered Roman theatre.
Because he's wearing pants. Hence, a barbarian. Hercules wouldn't be caught dead wearing pants! He only fights with lions when he's naked.
