806 - Unknown (18th century), Domitian’s Fountains, 1806, copper engraving

Unknown (18th century), Domitian’s Fountains, 1806, copper engraving Unknown (18th century): Naumachia Domitiani, water features of Emperor Domitian, 1806, copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving on paper Inscription: Labeled below and numbered “Tab. Id” in the upper right corner. Date: 1806 Description: The sheet is from the publication: Alexander Adam, Handbook of Roman Antiquities: For a Complete Understanding of the Customs and Habits of the Romans and for an Easier Comprehension of the Latin Classics from 1806. Naumachia refers both to the staging of naval battles as mass entertainment and to the basin or building in which this took place; in this print, it is the Colosseum. Domitian (Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus Augustus) was Roman emperor from A.D. 81 to A.D. 96. He was the third and last emperor of the Flavian dynasty. Around 85 A.D., he organized a Naumachia in the Colosseum and a second Naumachia in 89 A.D. in a new basin dug on the other side of the Tiber. Keywords: Romans, Colosseum, Colosseum, ship battle, Rome, antiquity, gladiator, 19th century, Classicism, Architecture, Italy, Size: Paper: 20.3 cm x 23.8 cm (8 x 9.4 in), Image: 13.5 cm x 20.5 cm (5.3 x 8.1 in) Condition: Good condition. The sheet has discolored with age and is foxed along the margins. There are creases in the margins and across the lower two corners of the sheet. There are two vertical creases across the right side of the sheet. Traces of adhesive tape are visible on the reverse side of the left margin.