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Alan K | all galleries >> Italia (Italy) >> Lazio E Roma, Aug-Sep 2016 and Oct 2019 >> 2016 Day 02: Roma, Roma Capitale (RM), Lazio. Full Day Before Tour (Sun 21 Aug 2016) > 160821_095214_0077 Head Of A Philosopher (Maybe)
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21-Aug-2016 AKMC

160821_095214_0077 Head Of A Philosopher (Maybe)

The Colosseum, Roma, Lazio, Italia

This is one of a set of five sculptures which we encountered in the upper levels of the Colosseum, which were more fully described in the caption on image 0075.

Made of white marble and dating from the late 2nd to early third century, it is believed that the somewhat realistic (or certainly not idealised) face represents an ordinary man. Or, at least, not a God and not an Emperor both of which would doubtless have received a more flattering treatment. However it would still have to be somebody who was worthy of having a sculpture carved of them, suggesting that it may have been a philosopher or man of letters.

Or possibly a senator with bags of money and a talent for self-promotion. Though to be honest that's unlikely since again such a sculpture would be in all likelihood more flattering especially around the mouth. It's the sort of mouth that would have suited Cato but he was long dead by this time thankfully.


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