From about 500 BC the state of Rome saw an increase in personal wealth, acquired through conquest or business. Often made in bronze the complexity of this travellers tool and the fact that it is made of silver suggests that it was an object of luxury, denoting the wealth of its owner. As well as a knife, spoon and fork it has a spike, spatula and pick allowing the user to prise snails from their shells, get sauce out of narrow necked bottles and clean between their teeth after eating.
Roman 'Swiss Army Knife'
Contributed by The Fitzwilliam Museum
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the Â鶹Éç or the British Museum. The Â鶹Éç is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
About this object
Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline
- Location
- Culture
- Period
-
500 BC
- Theme
- Size
- Colour
- Material
View more objects from people in Cambridgeshire.
Find out more
Podcast
Highlights from the collection
Â鶹Éç iD
Â鶹Éç navigation
Â鶹Éç links
Â鶹Éç © 2014 The Â鶹Éç is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Comments
'travellers tool' should read 'traveller's tool'.
or maybe "travellers' tool"?
The can had not been invented till that time, otherwise we could have seen a can opener in among the tools. The spike would have been an inefficient tool for cleaning the teeth. I wonder if they had had toothbrushes!