National Archaeological Museum of Naples
MANN is one of the key museums for studying everyday antiquity. Its core is the Farnese collection and finds from the Vesuvian towns, especially Pompeii and Herculaneum. It is therefore important for sculpture, painting, interiors, daily life and gladiatorial material.
Bas-relief with gladiators,marble. 20-50 years. Pompeii,Stabian Gate,National Archaeological Museum,Naples
Fresco from Pompeii. The surgeon's house. National Archaeological Museum of Naples (inv. 9018). 50-79 AD
Roman round bread. National Archaeological Museum of Naples. 1st century ADCollection and Significance
The Vesuvian towns offer a rare combination of context and preservation. Frescoes, mosaics, bronzes, furniture, vessels, tools, bread, cult objects and gladiatorial equipment show not only form but also the social setting of an object.
Main Materials
- frescoes and wall painting from Pompeii and Herculaneum;
- mosaics and domestic interiors;
- household objects, vessels, food and tools;
- gladiatorial greaves, helmets and reliefs;
- Farnese sculpture and Roman copies of Greek originals.
Context and Limits
For reconstruction, MANN is especially useful because many objects come from the closed context of AD 79. This helps distinguish real household objects from later museum arrangements and date clothing, footwear, interiors and utensils carefully.
Related Topics
- Museums of Antiquity
- Roman Archaeological Sources for Reconstruction
- Pompeii as a Source for Reconstruction
- Herculaneum as a Source for Reconstruction
Sources
Short gladiator greave. Bronze,Pompeii,portico of theaters,National Archaeological Museum,Naples. First half of the 1st century AD
Long gladiator greaves. Bronze,Pompeii,portico of theaters,National Archaeological Museum,Naples. First half of the 1st century AD
Detail from the fresco "Allegories of Hercules". Fresco from Herculaneum,National Archaeological Museum,Naples. 1st century ADInterested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions. Reenactment
