The ancient Romans earned a rightfully esteemed status due to their unparalleled contributions to art, architecture, and culture. They adeptly combined unmatched military might with a profound commitment to public art, utilizing it as a means for political propaganda and to honor their military and diplomatic triumphs.
Given the vast expanse of the Roman Empire, artifacts of Roman origin have been discovered in various parts of the world. The condition and age of these ancient Roman artifacts can differ significantly. This is primarily due to the extensive trading activities of the era and the widespread settlement of Roman natives during their travels.
Now, let's explore a selection of The 7 Most Influential and Famous Ancient Roman Artifacts, highlighting their age, places of discovery, and current exhibition locations.
The Orator Statue (1st Century BCE)
The Orator Statue (1st Century BCE); shakko, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
- Artist Roman Republican
- Date Created 1st century BCE
- Medium Bronze
- Dimensions (m) 1.8 (h)
- Location of Discovery Lake Trasimeno, Sanguineto valley, Italy
- Current Location The National Archaeological Museum of Florence, Italy
The Orator, a life-size bronze statue portraying a man named Aule Metele, serves as a remarkable artifact that offers insights into the origins of the Roman Empire. Dating back to the early 1st century B.C.E., this statue depicts an Etruscan figure assuming the role of a Roman magistrate, as evident from his attire consisting of a short toga and boots.
The sculptor left an inscription on the statue, including the Etruscan name of Aule Metele and the names of his parents. However, despite his Etruscan origins, the statue's appearance symbolizes the complete assimilation of the Etruscans into Roman society. Rome had been under the rule of Etruscan kings from the 7th century B.C.E. until the expulsion of the last Etruscan king in 510 B.C.E. By the 1st century B.C.E., the absorption of the Etruscans, who had a rich civilization spanning a thousand years, was fully accomplished by the Romans.
Roman Patrician Bust (1st Century BCE)
Head of a Roman Patrician from Otricoli, c. 75–50 BCE, marble (Palazzo Torlonia, Rome). Photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
- Artist Unknown
- Date Created 50 – 75 BCE
- Medium Marble
- Dimensions (cm) 5.3 x 4.5 x 4
- Location of Discovery Ancient Ocriculum City, Rome, Italy
- Current Location Palazzo Torlonia, Rome, Italy
The aged countenance of an unidentified upper-class Roman citizen captured in this sculpture embodies the principles of the Roman Republic, which prioritized public service and the military prowess of their society above all else. In contrast to the Greek tradition of idealizing leaders as divine beings in marble statues, the citizens of the Roman Republic sought to represent their values in human form. Consequently, this bust deviates from portraying the subject as a youthful, athletic individual and instead accentuates their age, thus highlighting their wisdom through skillfully carved wrinkles on the face and neck.
Dating back to the 1st century B.C.E., this bust also reflects the political landscape of its time. During the early Roman Republic, governance was solely in the hands of the patrician class. Later on, these aristocratic Romans formed an alliance with wealthy plebeians. However, the Republic's increasing social inequality ultimately led to its downfall.
Trajan’s Column (110 CE)
Trajan’s Column (110 CE); John Samuel, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: TheCollector
- Artist Emperor Trajan (98 – 117 CE)
- Date Created 107 – 110 CE
- Medium Stone
- Dimensions (m) 35 (h)
- Location of Discovery Open Air Museum, Rome, Italy
- Current Location Open Air Museum, Rome, Italy
Following Emperor Trajan's successful conquest of Dacia (present-day Romania) in 107 C.E., a monumental undertaking of public works commenced, including Trajan's Column, which served as both a commemorative structure and the emperor's tomb. Rising to a towering height of over 100 feet, the column features an uninterrupted spiral frieze that immortalizes the two significant battles against Dacia. While the column has been instrumental in aiding archaeologists in their understanding of Roman military strategies and the enigmatic Dacian culture, debates persist regarding the accuracy of its narrative.
Apollodorus of Damascus, Trajan's Column, 113 C.E. Photo by Allan T. Kohl. Art Images for College Teaching (AICT)
The frieze itself showcases more than 2,000 intricately carved figures in shallow relief, with Emperor Trajan himself depicted an impressive 58 times. In one notable scene, Trajan's soldiers present him with the severed heads of two enemy combatants. This column stands as a remarkable masterpiece of propaganda, erected shortly after the battles around 110 C.E., and it remains in its original location within the Forum of Trajan in Rome. Although the column once stood between two libraries, the remainder of the forum has succumbed to the ravages of time, leaving the column as the sole reminder of the emperor's military achievements.
Statue of Marcus Aurelius on Horseback (176 CE)
Equestrian statue of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius [modern replica in the Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome], original ca. 163-173, Roma, Italy. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
- Artist Unknown
- Date Created 176 CE
- Medium Bronze
- Dimensions (m) 4.23 (h)
- Location of Discovery Lateran Palace, Rome, Italy
- Current Location Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy
An equestrian statue portraying Marcus Aurelius mounted on his horse, believed to have been erected around 176 C.E., has served as a prominent model for countless equestrian sculptures throughout European art history. Capturing a sense of motion, the artist depicted the emperor, who ruled from 161 to 180 C.E., raising his right arm while his horse extends its right foreleg, showcasing meticulous attention to the muscular details.
During ancient Rome, equestrian statues were a common sight, honoring military and civic accomplishments, although few have survived fully intact. Many pagan statues faced destruction during the Middle Ages by the Catholic Church. However, this particular statue was spared due to a mistaken belief that it represented Constantine, the first Christian emperor of Rome. Originally positioned in the Lateran Palace, which housed noblemen and later served as a papal residence, the statue stood in Rome from around the 8th century until its relocation in 1538 to the Piazza del Campidoglio, situated atop Capitoline Hill. There, Michelangelo, an ardent admirer of its lifelike sense of movement, undertook its restoration. In 1981, the statue was moved to the Palazzo dei Conservatori for preservation, while a replica now stands in its original position on the piazza.
The Fonseca Bust (2nd Century CE)
Fonseca Bust, 2nd century C.E. (photo: Wikimedia Commons)
- Artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598 – 1680)
- Date Created 2nd Century CE
- Medium Marble
- Dimensions (cm) 160 (h)
- Location of Discovery Unknown
- Current Location Capitoline Museum, Rome, Italy
The Fonseca Bust, dating back to the early 2nd century C.E., is currently housed in the Musei Capitolini in Rome. When it comes to portraits of elite Roman women, they often diverged from realistic representations, as they were commissioned to highlight female beauty and the latest fashion trends rather than pursuing verisimilitude. The elaborate curls adorning the woman's head not only make her the most fashionable entry in this collection but also reflect the Romans' fascination with intricate hairstyles. Affluent Roman women would employ stylists to curl their hair using heated irons or to incorporate extensions, a technique likely employed for this particular look. (Those without the means to afford a personal stylist could visit a local barber or hairdresser.)
This bust is believed to depict a woman from the Flavian dynasty (69-96 C.E.). While portraits of men from this era tended to prioritize realism, this particular portrait is idealized to accentuate the subject's beauty. Numerous similar busts from this period depict women with elaborately curled hair reminiscent of the style seen on Marie Antoinette, and sculptors were able to achieve the intricate tendrils through the use of advanced drills and artistic techniques.
Augustus From Prima Porta (1st Century CE)
Augustus From Prima Porta (1st Century CE); Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY-SA 2.0. (photo: Wikimedia Commons)
- Artist Sculptor Polykleitos (1st – 2nd Century CE)
- Date Created 20 CE
- Medium Marble
- Dimensions (m) 2.08
- Location of Discovery Villa of Livia, Rome, Italy
- Current Location The Vatican, Vatican City, Italy
Upon bringing an end to a century of civil war, Augustus rose to power and became Rome's first emperor. Demonstrating a strong affinity for public art, he strategically employed commissioned works to legitimize his newly established role. One notable aspect of his patronage was the production of approximately 70 portrait statues of himself, collectively conveying his claim to a noble lineage tracing back to Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome.
This particular marble statue, dated to the 1st century C.E., was discovered amidst the ruins of the Villa of Livia, the wife of Augustus, at Prima Porta and is presently exhibited in the Vatican. It prominently highlights Augustus's military prowess while referencing the Republic's glorious past, which, under his reign, he aimed to restore. Notably, the statue's breastplate showcases a significant diplomatic achievement of the emperor—a Parthian king depicted reinstating military standards previously captured from Roman legions. Furthermore, to reinforce Augustus's divine right to rule and emphasize his divine lineage, Cupid, the son of the goddess Venus, stands at the emperor's right ankle.
In this depiction, strict adherence to veristic representation is eschewed, and Augustus is presented as an idealized figure, boasting an athletic physique reminiscent of classical Greek sculptures rather than a realistic portrayal of a Roman emperor. The head and body bear resemblance to the statue of Doryphoros, also known as the Spear-Bearer, created by the Greek sculptor Polykleitos in the 5th century B.C.E. However, the inclusion of specific locks of hair, a trademark feature incorporated by Augustus's official artists, enables the Roman public to identify the statue as a representation of the emperor himself.
Colossus of Constantine (230 – 337 CE)
Colossus of Constantine (230 – 337 CE); D. Benjamin Miller, Public domain.(photo: Wikimedia Commons)
- Artist Maxentius (2nd – 3rd century CE)
- Date Created 230 – 337 CE
- Medium Marble
- Dimensions (m) 12 (when whole) (h)
- Location of Discovery Basilica Nova, Italy
- Current Location Capitoline Museums, Rome, Italy
The Colossus, commissioned by Emperor Constantine, portrays him in a lifelike manner. While the statue now lies in fragments, the size of each piece indicates its monumental scale. Contrary to initial assumptions, it is believed that the statue was actually seated rather than standing upright. The head exhibits intricate craftsmanship, and although the exterior is made of marble, it is thought to have had a brick interior. To grasp the enormity of this artwork, consider that the feet alone measure approximately 2 meters in length.
In conclusion, the ancient Roman civilization has left us with a collection of influential and famous artifacts that provide valuable insights into their history and culture. From Trajan's Column to the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, each artifact represents Roman artistry and holds significant historical significance. The Fonseca Bust, Augustus's statue at Prima Porta, and the Colossus of Constantine are notable examples that offer glimpses into Roman society and aesthetics. Studying these artifacts allows us to appreciate the mastery of Roman artists and their lasting impact on art and culture.
Watch more about 12 Most Mysterious Archaeological Artifacts Finds Scientists Still Can't Explain