For #ReliefWednesday a depiction of a hydraulis – a water organ with a keyboard and pipes, the supply of air was created by water pressure. The instrument on the terracotta relief found in Trier is flanked by gladiators, a retiarius and a secutor. Water organs were used in amphitheatres and theatres. Depictions can be found on mosaics, e. g. on the gladiator mosaic at Nennig. Parts of a hydraulis were discovered in Budapest.
📷 Landesmuseum Trier and me
A Roman mosaic featuring two figures. One person is playing a hydraulis (water organ), while the other stands beside it holding a curved horn. The mosaic is framed by a decorative geometric border with interwoven patterns in red, black, and white.
Clay relief showing an ancient hydraulis (water organ) at the center, flanked by two gladiators, each raising an arm as if in a gesture or salute. The figures are dressed in typical gladiatorial attire, and the organ features several upright pipes.