| In the second millennium BC, the Romans | | | | balm and the bowls and plates were used to eat |
| emerged from a small settlement near Rome to | | | | from and hold food stuffs. The amphora, classic in |
| begin a course of expansion that was to make | | | | shape, was used for storage and shipping in the |
| them the dominant power in the Mediterranean. | | | | ancient world and was meant for household use |
| By the 1st Century AD, Roman territories | | | | and to hold wine, oil, spice or unguents. |
| expanded from Britain in the north to Egypt in the | | | | The Bronze Age was an important element in |
| south. Much of the Roman culture and crafts | | | | time even thought not any particular period of |
| reflected the preceding Hellenistic period; however, | | | | time. Some areas had their Bronze Age early, |
| their extensive trade network provided them with | | | | others had it late. The primary function of any |
| a great variety of materials. Artisans often | | | | metal industry in antiquity was the production of |
| combined styles and materials creating their own | | | | weapons and tools. A spear point was ranked as |
| unique designs. Terracotta (baked clay) pottery | | | | the chief weapon used in the battle of ancient |
| was made and used throughout the middle east | | | | Asia and Europe. The famous Greek poet, Homer, |
| and was produced in the earliest settlements | | | | tells how Achilles speared Hector through the |
| along the Fertile Crescent where the clay was | | | | neck wit a pole heavy with bronze. Ancient |
| abundant and varied in color. The early potters | | | | Roman spear points have played an important |
| had ample resources with which to experiment, | | | | part in history. Early men tied jagged pieces of |
| create and develop their styles. The pottery was | | | | stone onto their throwing sticks until they learned |
| made as a fairly course, porous clay that when | | | | to shape pointed spearheads from pieces of flint. |
| fired, assumes a color ranging from dull ochre to | | | | In the 2nd millennium BC, the Romans emerged |
| red and was usually left unglazed. Most terracotta | | | | from a small settlement near Rome to begin a |
| pottery has been utilitarian because of its | | | | course of expansion that was to make them the |
| cheapness, versatility and durability. As technique | | | | dominant power in the Mediterranean. By the 1st |
| and firing methods improved, a great variety of | | | | Century AD, Roman territories expanded from |
| shapes evolved. The most widely utilized pottery | | | | Britain in the north to Egypt in the south. The |
| in the Ancient World was oil lamp, bottles, | | | | Roman army was originally made up of citizens. |
| unguentariums, pitchers, bowls and plates, their | | | | By Caesar's time, in the 40's BC, most soldiers |
| basic shapes remaining unchanged for over a | | | | were professionals in a standing army, forming a |
| thousand years and still being used in today's | | | | civilizing force as well as a conquering one. |
| modern world. The oil lamp was the source of | | | | Ancient Roman pottery, spears, coins, jewelry |
| light in every household, the bottles and pitchers | | | | and much more. Very affordable antiquities form |
| were used to store wine, water and other liquids, | | | | the ancient world. |
| the unguentarium held oils, spices, unguents and | | | | |