An Equestrian Statue and the Early Days of Octavian. Observations on the Bronze Portrait from the Aegean Sea

Abstract

The bronze equestrian statue depicting Octavian now in the National Museum of Athens is examined again in the light of some antiquarian details, such as the ring with lituus in the left hand and the evident clavi that mark the tunic vertically. It is suggested that the Aegean portrait should be connected with the bronze statue erected in honour of the young Octavian in 43 B.C. on the Rostra in the Roman Forum. Some stylistic and typological features, previously considered as a clue for a later dating, are reconsidered as possibly referring to an earlier date, close to the original, even if a date in the years after 27 B.C. is also considered a possibility. Finally, due to the find place it is assumed that the possible final destination of the statue, as an opus nobile related to the first emperor, could have been Constantinople.