The ancient weapons in the Odescalchi Collection

Abstract

The Odescalchi Collection housed in the Museo di Palazzo Venezia in Rome contains around 50 archaeological objects purchased in the 19th century to establish an introduction to the mediaeval and modern weapons which constitute the main part of this family collection. They mainly come from the Italian peninsula and reflect its history and relations with the Hellenic and northern Alpine world and date between the Late Bronze Age and the Celtic period. Not well-known by archaeologists, these objects are presented for
the first time in this study from the point of view of typology and technique. This assemblage, without completely overturning our knowledge about these objects, restores the pieces to their place in works of study.