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Oscillum with Pyrrhic dancers
© Institute and Museum of the History of Science

Oscillum with Pyrrhic dancers

White marble, first half of 1st cent. A.D.
Pompeii, House of the Gilded Cupids
Soprintendenza Archeologica di Pompei, inv. 55404

The Pyrrhic was an ancient Greek martial dance, performed by armed dancers accompanied by the music of a flute. It is alleged to have been invented by Pyhrrus, the mythological protector of the child Zeus.