Ancient Greek military symbols, including decorated shields and helmets, have been identified on Roman funeral beds in Pompeii. A new study of carved bone fragments reveals how Roman families used military imagery inspired by ancient Greek traditions to decorate funeral furniture and possibly highlight the status of the deceased.
The research, led by Pilar Mas Hurtuna, examines more than 2,000 finely carved bone fragments recovered from the Porta Nola burial ground and a building within Pompeii believed to have served as a workshop or storage facility. Researchers found striking similarities between the decorations at both locations, suggesting a connection between luxury furniture production and Roman burial practices.
Greek military designs on Roman funeral beds
The fragments feature military designs associated with the Greek period, when Greek artistic traditions spread across the Mediterranean following the conquests of Alexander the Great. These traditions continued to influence Roman culture and artistic expression.
Among the most distinctive objects are carved heads wearing helmets resembling those used in ancient Greek military imagery. Some depict Attic-style helmets with elaborate crests and cheek guards. These helmets frequently appeared in Greek and Roman art and were associated with military commanders.
Researchers also identified a small terracotta head showing a soldier wearing a Boeotian helmet. This type was widely associated with Macedonian cavalry during the Hellenistic period and later appeared among Roman cavalry forces. The decorations also include shields in several shapes, particularly hexagonal and crescent-shaped designs.
The crescent-shaped shield, known as the “pelta,” was originally associated with Thracian light infantry. Macedonian and other Hellenistic armies later adopted the design.
Greek military traditions also influenced Roman warfare. Previous research has examined evidence suggesting Roman forces used an ancient Greek repeating weapon during the siege of Pompeii. Researchers believe the shields and helmeted figures may have formed repeated decorative patterns along the wooden frames of the funeral beds.
Discoveries at Pompeii’s Porta Nola burial ground
The study focuses on fragments recovered near the tomb of Marcus Obellius Firmus and neighboring cremation burials, including graves associated with Praetorian soldiers. Excavations between 2015 and 2017 uncovered hundreds of additional pieces, building on discoveries made in the 1970s.
Ancient Greek military symbols have been found on Roman funeral beds in Pompeii. Carved helmets, shields and other decorations reveal how Hellenistic military imagery influenced Roman burial traditions and reflected the status of the deceased. pic.twitter.com/E1VCRpBx4Z
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) November 13, 2026
One burial contained 540 funeral bed fragments. A nearby pit yielded approximately 500 more pieces alongside ashes and burned wood. Some fragments retained traces of red paint, while a decorative garland from the tomb of Obellius Firmus showed evidence of gold leaf.
The beds served an important role in Roman funeral ceremonies. They could display and transport the deceased before being placed on the funeral pyre. Other discoveries have also revealed the role of Greek culture in Pompeii’s burial traditions. A tomb uncovered at the Porta Sarno burial ground contained evidence that its occupant had organized performances in Greek and Latin.
Evidence points to luxury furniture production in Pompeii
Researchers compared the burial fragments with carved bone decorations discovered during excavations of a Pompeian house between 1926 and 1933. The building appears to have been used for workshop or storage activities after the earthquake of 62 A.D.
Inside, archaeologists found helmeted heads, carved shields and hundreds of decorative bone pieces. Several closely resemble fragments recovered from the burial ground. The matching designs and carving methods suggest that craftspeople working in Pompeii produced similar luxury decorations. However, researchers could not establish a direct connection between the building and the funeral beds found at Porta Nola.
The discovery adds to evidence of Greek influence on Pompeii’s material culture. The city’s House of Menander contains elaborate artwork inspired by ancient Greek traditions, showing how Greek imagery also appeared in wealthy Roman homes.
The military imagery may have carried meaning beyond decoration. Researchers suggest it could have represented military prestige, social standing, or symbolic victory over death. The findings show how Greek military imagery remained influential in Roman art and funeral traditions centuries after the height of the Hellenistic kingdoms.
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