Cuirass statue

Thoracatus from the Roman theatre that, together with MNAT 7583 and MNAT 45602, formed part of the “scaenae frons” decoration. It is an emperor dressed as a general with a cuirass decorated with geometric motifs and three serpents (from the head of Medusa). There are different opinions about the identification of the three sculptures. Koppel (1985), based on their compositional scheme, places them fully in the Antonine period; according to that interpretation, this sculpture could be of the emperor Antoninus Pius, who would have been flanked by Marcus Aurelius (MNAT 7583) and Lucius Verus (MNAT 45602). Other identifications (Rodríguez Almeida, 1994; Mar et al. 2010) place these pieces in the Flavian period; according to that interpretation, the three thoracatus sculptures would correspond to the three Flavian dynasties: Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. Whichever identification is correct, one of the keys for the chronological placement of the pieces is based on the decoration of the cuirass (a scaled aegis surrounded by serpents placed over the shoulders and chest). Those who defend the Antonine dating believe the shield could refer to the identification of the emperors with Jupiter, whereas for those who interpret it as a Flavian group, it would be the aegis of Minerva, the protector divinity of Domitian. A third hypothesis is defended by D. Bouschung (2002), who proposes a Julian-Claudian date for these pieces, linking them to the cycle of togaed statues.

Inventory number: MNAT 7582