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Warren Cup

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description Warren Cup Overview

The Warren Cup is a silver drinking vessel from the 1st century CE, created during the Roman Imperial period. The cup is distinguished by its high relief work, which depicts explicit scenes of male homoeroticism within classical architectural settings. It was acquired by the British Museum in 1999 and serves as a primary artifact for understanding ancient Roman sexuality, banqueting customs, and silversmithing techniques. Named after the collector Edward Perry Warren, the object provides explicit visual evidence of social practices in antiquity.

help Warren Cup FAQ

What scenes are shown on the Warren Cup?

The outer silver casing carries two detailed relief scenes of male same-sex lovemaking in decorated interiors. Musical instruments, wreaths, drapery, and differences in age and status give the images a deliberately Hellenized setting.

How old is the Warren Cup?

The British Museum dates its imagery and manufacture to approximately 15 BCE to 15 CE, around the reign of Augustus. That places it at the transition from the first century BCE to the first century CE.

Why is it called the Warren Cup?

The modern name comes from Edward Perry Warren, an American collector known for acquiring Greek and Roman antiquities. The British Museum purchased the cup in 1999.

Is the Warren Cup considered authentic?

Its authenticity has been challenged by some scholars because its modern discovery history is incomplete and its subject is unusually explicit. The British Museum classifies it as an ancient Roman object, citing its construction, corrosion, silver composition, and close stylistic analysis.

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