Auris Arrectibus

Next clue: Nearby Hasdrubal Barca was defeated and beheaded in 207 BC during the Second Punic war in a battle, which is named after a river that flows also through this city.

Next clue: Magister Militum Narses must have passed through this place just before encountering the army of Totila, about 50 km south. The latter was killed in this battle.

Another clue: The Colony was named after one of the two revolting siblings of the Cornelii Scipiones-family.

No, it used to be easier to take the Via Flaminia to cross the Apennines. So you have to look south of the Via Aemilia. Auris

Clue: This place must have seen thousands of romans over the years travelling from Rome to Cisalpina. And vice versa.

number 30 I don't know if one could identify this statue without the kithara. For instance, Ganymedes could then also be a candidate. Apollo (Phoebus) is often represented as a youngster, naked (upper)body, fit but not too athletic and well groomed hairstyle, almost feminine. Holding one arm up over his head is also a Apollo-like pose. Especially when it's his right arm (and you don't know what is in his left), because Apollo was a right-handed guy: the kithara allways in his left hand. But, what could he be holding in his right hand? A javelin with plague (not likely) or maybe a ritual phial? Auris

number 27 Yep, identified by her wings and laurel wreath. Other symbols: palm branch and (driving) a chariot. Wearing a flowing robe, extending a wreath, young and strong (athletic trained for war). See the both fresco's from Pompei (with a cornucopia, result of victory, also a roman theme) and Herculaneum. Unlike the greek Nike the romans associated her with Bellona (the war-goddess, a mature type with a helmet). Victoria Bellona depicted in a 16th century painting by LeNain. While the Greek associated Nike with Athena (wisdom goddess). When a Victoria look-a-like is playing the trumpet, then it's Fama (fame-goddess). In the picture not roman time statues, though. "Augustus had an altar to Victoria installed in the senate building, the Curia Julia, with a statue of Victoria standing with one foot on a globe. When in 382 AD her statue was removed by the emperor Gratian there was much resistance in the heathen reactionary circles. The cult of Victoria was one of the last pagan cults to succumb to Christianity. The fact that this cult lasted so long is probably due to the fact that she was very popular with the military which made it quite dangerous to ban or forbid her worship outright. By the end of the fourth century, the winged Victory had been transformed into the figure of an angel, the intermediary and attendant of God".

number 27 Bronze statue, 1st AD Who's this?

No, not France. This place is somewhere else in Europe.

Next: One year ago excavations started again in this place.

Then it could be Labraunda, connected to the Hekatomnos-dynasty ... 'Found alike picture of the stairs on the net: Temple of Zeus? Auris

That would be great to know. And doesn't he wear shoes? I'm thinking Hermes If this is about the fresco of Narcissus from Pompe

Looks a city in a plain, not in the mountains. So I think it could be Aphrodisias. Via the godess Aphrodite, this city is linked to the Julio-Claudian dynasty, their divine ancestress. Auris

Hi Ghost, This picture doesn't show (guess it's a mosaic). When I copy this property-link of the picture that refers to www.northlincs.gov.uk/ it's a "Error 404: Page Not Found". Maybe that's the problem, picture has a new address on the net. Could you edit your post?

Number 2 Must be Narcissus: 1) Because he 's looking downwards (he is in love with his own reflection in the water). 2) He's often decorated with ivy leaves in his hair (as symbol of young charming adorable). 3) His index-finger holding up represent the refusal of many would-be lovers, especially Echo. and also his interest in his own resemblance of his mirror image. Like he is saying: "Wait, stop, where is that good looking fellow I just saw." Note: The greek pendant of Narcissus is Narkissos, same myth. Here's a fresco from Pompei I saw this summer in the museum of Naples.

Could be Paestum, forum area. Temple of Ceres in the background.

Nice one! Next trallel. Hope to learn something new again .... First question for an answer and a clue ... looks continental european to me. Is it? Auris

No, not really. The site was down twice when I wanted to write a reply .... You're very close, Klingan! It is in the arrondissement of Avallon. Last clue: Salty wells with bubbling mineral waters, still working, somewhere near the Via Agrippa in that area.

Summary of the clues: - Gallia Lugdunensis, - once sacred place, - a bath, - brittisch connection, - 5th century AD event, - someone wounded sought safe haven after a battle ... Next clue: Riothamus, "King of the Britons" according to Jordanes. Game on!

The labyrinth is a fascinating symbol. I assume that the prototype build by Daedalus in Minoan Crete and the story of Theseus was well known. In fact, I learned that in classical en medieval ages inlittered people understand more of the historical and relegious symbols than nowadays. The first labyrinth that intrigued me I found on the floor of the San Vitale (6th AD) in Ravenna. What was the meaning of this symbol and found out from a guide that was explaining the mosaics that it meant like an Odyssee for the christian goal in the center. Like a spiritual quest. The floor was reconstructed in the 16th century, though. Later I found out that the labyrinth was a pagan symbol for the route to the underworld, maybe mistaken for hell instead of a paradise like the Elysian Fields, or the struggle for life itself. Nowadays quasi-spiritual groups use the symbol for anything they want, I think. In Lucca I found a labyrinth on a doorpost of the entrance of the Duomo of San Martino (9th AD). It is a so called 'finger-labyrinth'. There I was told it was to make a route with your fingers to follow the sacred path and avoid sins. As for many pagan symbols and rituals, the early Christians adopted them and transformed the meaning just a little bit. I would state that because they adopted it, they were of significant spiritual importance, and the symbolism like-wise. So the meaning we could derive from the christian heratige: The road to Jerusalem in a broader terms of pagan or roman religion: Salvation.

Yes, it is.

No, it is located in the province of Gallia Lugdunensis. Next clue: It is said that a British leader sought safe haven in this sacred place after he was wounded in a battle.

No, it's not part of a shore fortification. Neither any kind of fortification nor near the North Sea or Canal coast. In fact, since pre-roman time it used to be a sacred place.

Okay, try this. Maybe this could be a lead: There is said to be some British connections, presumably. The first one was an event in the 5th century AD.