The urban organization of Durocortorum, the Gallo-Roman city now known as Reims in France, faithfully adhered to the principles of Roman urbanism. The city was divided into blocks bounded by streets arranged in an orthogonal grid converging at the forum, the nerve center of political and religious life. However, the areas farther from the city’s central core have left fewer archaeological traces.
In one of these peripheral districts, located west of the city, over a kilometer from the forum and in a damp area near the Vesle River, a domus built in the 2nd century CE was discovered. This residence stood out for its imposing façade, marked by two robust pillars that dominated the street view.
In the demolition layers of the site, likely caused by a fire, small bronze statues were uncovered alongside fresco fragments. These frescoes included a megalography, that is, depictions of human figures in life size.
Two fragments of the mural were particularly notable for bearing inscriptions referencing Achilles and Deidamia, alluding to the mythological episode of Achilles in Scyros before the Trojan War. This narrative was popular in the Roman world, and its presence in Reims underscores how the elites of this Gallo-Roman province adopted and reinterpreted cultural elements from the metropolis.
Until now, only four representations of this scene were known across the Roman world, found in Aquileia, Pompeii, Rome, and now in Reims.
Among the objects found in this domus were three finely crafted bronze statuettes: one depicting Mars, another a bull, and the third a goddess whose symbolism remains intriguing.
The figure of Mars, standing 18 cm tall, features details that highlight high-quality craftsmanship. Its eyes are accentuated with silver inlays, and its shield displays a relief of the Capitoline wolf with Romulus and Remus, the foundational symbols of Rome.
Additionally, after careful cleaning, a Medusa head was discovered adorning its breastplate. This statuette stands on a circular base adorned with floral motifs in silver and copper.
The bull, on the other hand, measures 16.7 cm wide and 11.6 cm tall. Its gaze seems lifelike, with silver-highlighted eyes, while its rectangular base ensures stability and emphasizes the sculptor’s skill.
Finally, the female representation, standing 30.7 cm tall, combines symbolic and stylistic elements that raise questions. Initially thought to represent a goddess, its helmet, decorated with a sphinx, a face, and a crenellated crown, could suggest an allegory of a city.
Additionally, marks on the back of the figure indicate it might once have had wings. Its most curious attribute is a club of Hercules, entwined by a serpent and resting on the Nemean Lion’s pelt, blending mythological references into a unique composition.
The quality of the statuettes and the sophistication of the frescoes suggest that this house belonged to a wealthy family deeply influenced by Roman culture. However, the peripheral location of the residence raises questions about the status of its occupants and their connection to the city’s political and religious center. Was this a secondary residence of an influential family, or perhaps a local elite opting for a more tranquil setting?
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