Tiber Island Warship

3D Model

Many legends surround Tiber Island in Rome. One of the legends holds that when a pestilence was ravaging the city, around 291 BCE, a snake sacred to the god of healing Asclepius was being brought to Rome from Epidaurous when it jumped off the ship and swam to Tiber Island. This was seen as a sign, and so a temple to Asclepius was erected on the island and the plague passed.

The remains of a travertine and tuff warship prow which can now be seen on the north-east corner of the ship is assumed to be a monument celebrating that event. Ascelpius’s snake and rod, and a bust of the god himself, can still be seen adorning the ship. It is uncertain when the monument was constructed - estimates range from the 3rdC BCE to the 1stC CE. Similarities to surviving 3rdC BCE naval monuments throughout the Mediterranean perhaps make the earlier date more likely.

Further Reading: https://www.isolatiberina.it/index.php/en/monografie-e/nave-e?showall=1

Surviving Dimensions: 11m (L) x 2.3m (W) x 3.5m (H)