The Naples National Archeological Museum

By Rohan 

Photos by Kelli and online sources

With a good nights sleep and a more relaxing itinerary ahead, we headed to the Naples archaeological museum. Though it seemed like another unassuming red building from the outside, we would soon be overwhelmed by the ancient art inside. Inside, we were met by countless sculptures, mosaics, ancient utensils, and a replica of the Pompeii ruins. 

However, one piece that particularly stood out was the sculpture called the Farnese bull. The sculpture depicts a woman, Dirce, being tied to a wild bull for abusing her punisher’s mother. 

Photo from ancientworldmagazine.com

The sculpture stands at twelve feet tall, but the majestic aura it brings made it look one hundred. Looking at such a masterpiece, one couldn’t help but wonder what it was like to make it. How long did it take? How many hardships needed to be overcome? And after even being able to comprehend the main part of the sculpture, your eyes slowly drift to the base, decorated with intricate vines and reliefs of animals, and you can’t help but wonder how many years of master it took to sculpt one vine. Sure, most of the grand monuments of the Roman Empire may be crumbling in ruins, but when one intact sculpture brings this much awe, you have to credit the once great majesticness of the Roman Empire.

Photo by Sarah

Photo by Sarah