Roman settlements
In the first rooms of the Museum we find a number of artefacts that date back to Roman times. These artefacts come from the settlements located in the square before construction of the Cathedral.
Roman settlements — In depth
Roman settlements
The Roman villa
These are the remains of a Roman villa which was on the land where the Cathedral stands now. In particular, we can see a column and a fragment of a fresco.
The coin collection
This group of coins also dates back to Roman times, and was in circulation between the second half of the third century and the first half of the fourth century AD. Most of these coins are copper alloy, but there are also a few more precious ones in silver.
Coin of Constantine
This coin is particularly interesting from a historical and symbolic point of view. The front face features a portrait of Constantine, the emperor whose Edict in 313 put an end to persecutions and proclaimed religious freedom. On the back face is depicted Mithra the Sun, an oriental god whose cult was particularly widespread in the Roman army. According to legend, Constantine repudiated Mithra the Sun and converted to Christianity after Jesus Christ appeared to him in the sky on the eve of the decisive Battle of the Milvian Bridge, in which Constantine’s troops were to face those of the last pagan emperor, Maxentius. Constantine emerged victorious from the battle and thus became a key figure for the spread of the Christian faith.
The Christian oil lamp
This oil lamp still bears the signs of use: the flame that blackened the edge, and the two holes that allowed the flame to breathe, and through which the oil was replenished. It dates back to the third century and is decorated with a Chrismon, the monogram of Christ.
Everyday objects
On display in the corridor are different everyday artefacts dating back to Roman times: a basin, clay objects, and a few oil lamps.