Terracotta medallion

Unknown

late 2nd–early 3rd century CE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

The appliqué depicts a charioteer in his quadriga, holding the victor’s crown and palm branch. In Rome chariot racing was organized into teams, each identified by a color—red, white, blue, or green. The Latin inscription to the left on the medallion indicates that the victor belonged to the Greens. The Roman circus factions, who supported the different teams, were as fanatical and devoted as modern sports fans.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 2nd–early 3rd century CE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917