Luxury and grandeur: archaeologists have uncovered astonishing artifacts from the Roman era (photos).

During recent excavations in Reims, France, archaeologists discovered three bronze figurines among the remains of a Roman domestic complex. This finding sheds light on the historical significance of Reims, once a major center of Roman Gaul, and its role as the capital of the province of Gallia Belgica in ancient times, writes Heritage Daily.

The excavations, led by the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP), focused on a 2nd-century Gallo-Roman house located on the western outskirts of Durocortorum, the ancient name for Reims. At its peak, Durocortorum was the second-largest city in Roman Gaul, with a population reaching up to 100,000 people.

The house is situated more than a kilometer from the city forum, nestled between the main road (decumanus maximus) and the principal waterway flowing through the city. The entrance to this luxurious residence was adorned with majestic columns and a fresco depicting Achilles and Deidamia, a celebrated story from Roman mythology associated with the Trojan War. According to INRAP, the presence of this fresco indicates the adoption of Roman cultural motifs by the elite of Gallia Belgica.

Among the most significant discoveries are three bronze figurines representing Mars, a bull, and an unknown goddess. The Mars figurine features intricate armor, including a Medusa's head on the breastplate and a relief of the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus.

The unknown goddess holds symbols of strength and power in her hands, notably the club of Hercules, the skin of the Nemean lion, and a helmet engraved with a sphinx. The high level of craftsmanship of these figurines, as well as the richly decorated fragments of plaster found at the site, suggest that the house belonged to affluent individuals heavily influenced by Roman traditions.

This discovery not only showcases the luxury of architecture and art during the Roman era but also opens a window into the cultural and social dynamics of Gallia Belgica. These findings enrich our understanding of the cultural exchanges and artistic expressions that defined life in the Roman province.

Additionally, we reported on the largest hoard of ancient Roman coins found in England. It dates back to the reign of Nero.