- Museum number
- 122021
- Description
-
Cast copper alloy statuette of a soldier in Roman military dress, arms outspread.
- Production date
- 1st-2ndC BC (?)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 9.10 centimetres
-
Weight: 61.50 grammes
-
Thickness: 3.50 centimetres
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Depth: 2.30 centimetres ((skirt))
- Curator's comments
-
This cast copper alloy statuette of a male figure in Roman military dress is probably a representation of a warrior god. The statue is probably the product of a Seleucid or later craftsman and is wearing what appears to be a three-layered pleated skirt, which is an imitation of Roman armour B the cuirass and belt over a pleated tunic. The statue may have been an imitation of a statue of the Roman god, Mars, who is usually depicted with a crested helmet. The deity is holding a patera in his right hand, and the left hand probably originally held a spear or shield.
This Roman bronze figure has many features in common with some small bronze Roman deities from Roman Britain, now at The British Museum. Eight statuettes were found in a hoard in a pot at Southbroom, Wiltshire (PEE 1811-3-8, 1-8). The Romano-British examples display a complete fusion of Graeco-Roman and native Celtic characteristics. Figures made outside Rome would display clear traces of the artistic and religious tradition of the local inhabitants. Bronze deities such as these were often found in temples and private shrines. The South Arabian and British examples share certain features: the three-layered pleated skirt and one foot slightly raised (PEE 1811-3-8, 1), the left hand holding a disc-shaped patera (PEE 1811-3-8, 8), the crested helmet and the arm position (PEE 1811-3-8, 6).
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Bowers catalogue entry
Statuette of a warrior god
Bronze
Probably 1st - 3rd century AD
Height 9.1 cm, width 2.3 cm (skirt), thickness 3.5 cm; 61.2 g weight
ANE 1930-6-13,7 = 122021
Presented by Mrs H.C. Gowan
This cast copper alloy statuette of a male figure in Roman military dress may be a representation of a warrior god. The figure is wearing what appears to be a three-layered pleated skirt, which is an imitation of Roman armour, with a cuirass and belt worn over a pleated tunic. The statue may have been an imitation of a statue of the Roman god of war, Mars, who is usually depicted with a crested helmet. The deity is holding a patera (a broad flat saucer or dish particularly used in pouring out libations at sacrifices) in his right hand, and the left hand probably originally held a spear or shield.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2017-2018 17 Jan-2 Jul, Basel, Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig, 'Arabia Felix: Treasures from Ancient South Arabia'
2014 -2015, 20 Sep - 4 Jan, Leeds City Museum, Leeds 'Roman Empire: Power + People' 2014 15 May-31 Aug, Herbert Museum, Coventry 'Roman Empire: Power + People'
2014 25 Jan-27 Apr, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Norwich 'Roman Empire: Power + People'
2013-2014 21 Sep-5 Jan, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol 'Roman Empire: Power + People'
2004-2005 17 Oct-13 Mar, California, Bowers Museum, 'Queen of Sheba: Legend and Reality'
2002-2005 Aug-16 Dec, BM, G51/PSA/3
2002 5 Jun-13 Oct, BM, 'Queen of Sheba: Treasures from ancient Yemen'
- Condition
- Mostly complete; old corrosion; missing left hand; treated with consolidant
- Acquisition date
- 1930
- Acquisition notes
- Collection presented in 1929 (Book of Presents, item 1492); reported to Trustees 11 June 1930; no correspondence found in ANE for 1930.
- Department
- Middle East
- BM/Big number
- 122021
- Registration number
- 1930,0613.17
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: 17 (marked on the object)
