Appliqués such as this example, would have likely served as the emblema (centrepiece) of a bowl or a piece of furniture. It was a custom for the Ancient Romans, especially among the wealthier classes, to have highly decorated everyday life objects, such as jewellery boxes or toiletries tables. The subject of such decorations could vary between portraits of women, to depictions of gods, or natural elements and animals.
Regarded as the founder of Western philosophy, Socrates (Σωκράτης; 469-399 B.C.) remains an enigmatic figure, known mostly through the accounts of his students, particularly Plato and Xenophon. Their work, written in the form of dialogues, uses the character of Socrates as an investigative tool to examine subjects and approach different areas of philosophy, including rationalism and ethics. While in life, he was recognised as a controversial figure and often figured in the comedies of his contemporary Aristophanes, ‘The Clouds’ produced in 423 B.C. being the best-known example.
