Roman Altar: "Ara Casali"

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The grand inscription is elegantly surrounded by a wreath of sturdy oak leaves. Atop, Sol, radiant god of the sun, majestically rides in a powerful four-horse chariot (quadriga), while Roman Vulcan, counterpart to Greek Hephaistos, stands steadfast with his blacksmith's tongs in hand, gazing over a scene of Mars and Venus reclining together. A chain securely binds Venus' right wrist. Their luxurious bed (lectus) is flanked by two mischievous erotes (putti), one on the left pleading upward with an imploring expression. The entire scene vividly portrays Vulcan's clever trap to catch Mars and Venus in the act of infidelity.