FAST FACTS
Name: Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius
What it is: A bronze statue of a Roman emperor on horseback
Where is it from: Rome, Italy
When it was made: About 175 AD
According to the Capitoline Museums, the equestrian statue was probably erected in 176 to commemorate Marcus Aurelius’ victory over Germanic and Sarmatian tribes in the Marcomannic Wars, but it is possible that it was erected in 180, shortly after his death.
The article continues below
Marcus Aurelius is depicted in a very specific pose called “adlocutio” – he raises his right arm to show that he is in the middle of giving an address to his troops. But unlike many other “adlocutio” sculptures that show leaders wearing armor and weapons, this equestrian statue shows Marcus in a different light: Absent this military garb, he is portrayed as a peacemaker rather than a victorious general. He also rides the horse without the aid of stirrups, an invention not yet introduced to the West by Central Asian horsemen.
Although at least two dozen giant bronze equestrian statues – also called “equi magni” – are known to have decorated the public squares of ancient Rome, none of the other equestrian statues of pagan emperors survived, probably because they were melted down in the late Roman Empire or early Middle Ages for coins or other sculptures.
But the statue of Marcus Aurelius survived this purgepossibly because he was mistaken for Constantine the Greatthe Roman emperor who legalized Christianity during his reign from 306 to 337. While both of these emperors are typically depicted with curly hair, Marcus Aurelius was also known to wear a full beard, suggesting his intelligence and his role as a philosopher king. Marcus’Meditations“—a collection of his personal thoughts on self-improvement and other Stoic philosophy ideals—is still read today.
MORE AMAZING ARTIFACTS
The location of the Marcus Aurelius equestrian statue was first recorded in the 11th century, when historical records referred to it in the Lateran Palace, which was originally a Roman structure but was later used as the main residence of the Popes for 1,000 years. In the 16th century, the statue was moved to the Capitoline Hill in Rome, and Michelangelo was commissioned to refurbish the statue and redesign it. Piazza del Campidoglio.
Today, the equestrian statue is kept in the Capitoline Museums, while a copy made in 1981 stands in the middle of Michelangelo’s piazza.
For more amazing archaeological finds, check out our Amazing Artifacts archives.
