---
title: Bronze Hand, Roman Ship Decoration
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2193/bronze-hand-roman-ship-decoration/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Bronze Hand, Roman Ship Decoration

_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_

## Image File

[![Bronze Hand, Roman Ship Decoration](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/2193.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/2193.jpg)

## Image Caption

These [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) hands would have decorated the end beams of a [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) ship. They were placed at the end of beams running parallel with the ship's long axis, two either side and with the arm horizontal and thumb pointing upwards. They were believed to ward off evil. This example dates to 37-41 CE. (Palazzo Massimo, [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/))

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Cartwright, M. (2013, December 17). Bronze Hand, Roman Ship Decoration. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2193/bronze-hand-roman-ship-decoration/>
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Bronze Hand, Roman Ship Decoration." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 17, 2013. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2193/bronze-hand-roman-ship-decoration/>.
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Bronze Hand, Roman Ship Decoration." *World History Encyclopedia*, 17 Dec 2013, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2193/bronze-hand-roman-ship-decoration/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 17 December 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.