Your guide to the creatures and places in The Treasure of Juno Moneta

The World of Rome

Sciapod

Sciapods are one-legged creatures with a single great foot. They like to rest on the ground, using their foot to shield themselves from the sun. Their name is of Greek origin, meaning "shadow-foot".

Sciapods are described by Roman author Pliny the Elder, and appear in the Greek play The Birds in 414 BC.

Illustration of a sciapod comfortably resting in the shade of his foot, Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493.

The Temple of Juno Moneta

High on the Capitoline Hill stands the Temple of Juno Moneta. Here, all coins in Rome are minted, overseen by the watchful eyes of the goddess Juno Moneta herself. Due to the enormous wealth hidden within, it is heavily guarded by the Emperor's personal bodyguard, the Praetorians.

Only a mad fool would attempt to steal from the temple. Fortunately, in Rome fools come in plenty.

There is a darkness hiding deep in the temple.

Panotti

Pliny the Elder writes that panotti "have ears of such extraordinary size as to cover the rest of the body". This is indeed true, as any citizen of Rome can attest. They are commonly spotted soaring in the night sky, using their ears as wings.

This panotti is a renowned lawyer. Due to old age, his ears have shrunk and he could easily be mistaken for a human (according to his friends).

Circus Maximus

Home of chariot races, gladiator fights, and beast hunts, there is no place in Rome with more mayhem than the Circus. With a capacity of well over 150,000, all of Rome is invited. And all of Rome has come.

Early version of The Chariot Race, Alexander von Wagner.

Dwarf

Dwarves are robust creatures with a love of all things shiny. They seem to be stuck in an eternal state of grumpiness, perhaps due to their everlasting grudge against their underground neighbors, the fire-breathing salamanders. Dwarves are usually recruited for the Vigiles, the police and firefighters of Rome.

Who doesn't love a subborn dwarf with a beard?

Lion

Good ol' lions. Nothing beats that.

A lion ready to eat gladiators at the Circus. Yummy!

Ready for your journey?

No idea who that guy is.