Hercules-like statue found in Roman sewers

Experts believe the statue may depict Hercules or a Roman emperor disguised as an ancient hero.

Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica/FacebookThe Hercules statue appears to date back to the Roman Empire, from 27 BC to 476 AD.

History resonates beneath the streets of Rome. In the latest exciting archaeological find from the heart of the bygone Roman Empire, archaeologists have discovered a Hercules-like figure in a lion’s cloak while excavating an ancient sewer system in the Appian Antica Park. I found a statue of

“Today, after weeks of reporting on land movements completely devoid of archaeological interest, Parco Scott has given us a great surprise: a club and a lion-skin cloak covering the head. By existence we are certainly identifiable life-size marble statues with characters dressed as Hercules,” Il Parco Archiologicalo del Appia Antica wrote in a Facebook post.

according to Guardian, the statue was discovered about 65 feet underground during the repair of sewers along Rome’s ancient Appian Way. It appears to date from the Roman Empire, 27 BC to 476 AD, but other details about the statue’s history are difficult to pin down. It seems that it was thrown into a ditch during sewer construction.

Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica wrote on Facebook that in the absence of contextual evidence, archaeologists were forced to rely on other contextual clues by studying similar artifacts.

“Thus, to arrive at the identification and chronology of the sculptures, we need to analyze similar artifacts and ‘look for comparisons.’ This is one of archaeologists’ major post-excavation activities,” the post said. explained.

This historic detective work has led archaeologists to believe that the statue does not depict Hercules himself, but Gaius Mesius Quintus Traianus Decius, or a Roman emperor named Desio Traiano, dressed as Hercules. I guessed that I was drawing

Il Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica/FacebookCoin depicting Emperor Gaius Mesius Quintus Traianus Decius beside a statue dressed as Hercules.

“‘Our Hercules’ face, though corroded, appears to share a ‘wrinkle of anxiety’ with Desio’s official portrait.” This evokes the Roman style of republicanism, is intended to represent concern for the fate of the nation, and is a valued virtue. It’s imperial high-ranking and very forward-looking,” Park explained.

That said, Parco Archaeologicalo del Appia Antica warned that more work needs to be done before experts can articulate who the statue depicts.

“This is the first guess,” they wrote. “[A]After cleaning, an additional element appears that can confirm it or lead to other identifications. We are really considering all possibilities, including private portraits, always considering that our character portrayed as Hercules is most likely the most prominent person.

Il Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica/FacebookThe statue wears the famous lionskin cloak of Hercules, but archaeologists are still working to determine who the statue depicts.

As heritage daily It explains that the Roman hero of Hercules is based on the Greek hero of Hercules. In both myths, he is said to have killed his wife and children after being driven insane by the goddess Hera. To atone for his sins, Hercules performed 12 impossible feats on the orders of King Eurystheus.

Many Roman emperors, such as Commodus and Maximianus, admired Hercules. They identified with his legend, worshiped him as a demigod, and even joined the cult of Hercules. Perhaps Emperor Decius tried to emulate Hercules by painting himself in a statue wrapped in Hercules’ lionskin cloak.

It’s too early to know for sure, but archaeologists will continue to study the statues to see which ancient mysteries they can unlock.

Read about the statue of Hercules found in a Roman sewer, then find out how archaeologists discovered an ancient Roman ‘gas station’ in England while building a football field. Or see how archaeologists found the 1,800-year-old face masks of Roman soldiers in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis.