VRBS ROMA

During the ongoing work for the construction of the Metro C station at Porta Metronia, a fragment of glass, originally the bottom of a glass or cup, was found bearing the image of the personification of the city of Rome portrayed on gold leaf and represented, according to widespread iconography, with a helmet and lance. The exquisite workmanship of the piece, datable to the 4th century and thus to the height of the imperial age, was immediately evident. It is also unique in that no other glass artefacts decorated with this iconography are currently attested.

The exhibition, realised by the Capitoline Superintendency in collaboration with the Special Superintendency of Rome for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape, therefore represents an extraordinary opportunity for the public of the Capitoline Museums to admire a piece of great historical and artistic importance, as well as having an obvious symbolic value for the city of Rome. Precisely because of its high representative value, the image was used as the effigy of the commemorative medal that is traditionally minted for Christmas in Rome.