Statue of Roman Emperor Found at Ancient Site
Pieces of a large statue depicting Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius were uncovered at an archaeological site at the ancient city of Sagalassos in Turkey.
Researchers at the site have unearthed the statue’s head, right arm and lower legs.
Aurelius was known as one of the so-called “Five Good Emperors.” He reigned from 161AD until his death in 180AD.
Pieces of the marble statue were found in a cross-shaped room at Sagalassos’s Roman baths. The large 13,500 sq ft room was probably used as a frigidarium – a room with a cold pool, which Romans could sink into after a hot bath.
It was partially destroyed in an earthquake between 540AD and 620AD, filling the room with rubble. Archaeologists have been excavating the frigidarium for the past 12 years.
In addition to his deeds as emperor, Marcus Aurelius is remembered for his writings, and is considered one of the foremost Stoic philosophers.
The frigidarium has proven to be a great source of ancient treasures for archaeologists.
A year ago, Prof Marc Waelkens and his team from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium found remains of a statue belonging to emperor Hadrian at the site.
Earlier this month, the researchers found a huge head and arm belonging to Faustina the Elder – wife of the emperor Antoninus Pius.
Early on 20 August, a huge pair of marble lower legs, broken just above the knee, turned up in the debris.
They also found a 1.5m-long (5ft-long) right arm and hand holding a globe, which was probably once crowned by a gilded bronze "Victory" figure.
But it was the giant marble head, which identified this statue as the young Marcus Aurelius. The colossal head, which is just under 1m (3ft) in height, is said to bear his characteristic bulging eyes and beard.
Aurelius was known to be more of a philosopher than a soldier, said Prof Waelkens. He added that the pupils of the statue were gazing upwards as If in deep contemplation.
Archaeologists now believe sculptures of Hadrian, his wife Vibia Sabina, another Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, his wife Faustina the Elder, and Marcus Aurelius all once adorned niches situated around the room.
There were three large niches on both the western and eastern sides. The fragments of Hadrian’s statue were found near the southwest niche.
The front parts of two female feet were discovered in the opposite niche, on the room’s southeastern side.
The archaeologists now think these belonged to a colossal figure of Vibia Sabina, who was forced into marriage with the homosexual Hadrian at the age of 14.
Remains of the statue depicting Faustina the Elder were found further along, on the eastern side.
In the opposite niche, they found the front parts of a pair of male feet in sandals, which could belong to her husband, Antoninus Pius – who succeeded Hadrian as emperor.
The experts suggest Antonine emperors occupied niches on the western side of the room, while their spouses stood opposite, on the east side.
After the discovery of Faustina and her male counterpart, the archaeologists guessed the northwestern niche would contain a colossal statue of Marcus Aurelius – the longest-surviving successor of Antoninus Pius.
The discovery on Wednesday confirmed this prediction, and suggests the northeastern niche may contain remains of a statue depicting Faustina the Younger, Marcus Aurelius’s wife.
Archaeologists will get the opportunity to excavate this part of the room next year.
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Image Courtesy Of Google
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