Emperor Gallienus

The Roman emperor Gallienus (rul. 253–268 CE) saw himself confronted with the manifold effects of the state of crisis in the Roman Empire. Usurpations and incursions by Barbarian tribes threatened the very integrity of the empire, as did its financial woes. As a result, the emperor initiated the first reforms to the administration of the military and provinces. Gallienus initially ruled together with his father Valerian (who also became emperor in 253). The son was responsible for the west and the father for the east. Valerian was captured by the Sassanians, and is presumed to have never been set free. As a consequence, Gallienus assumed sole rule of the empire. This marble portrait was originally intended for use in a larger statue (now lost). The portrait is distinctive for the hair cap (which, although sitting tightly on his head, is still plastic in appearance), as well as an elaborately worked, well-trimmed beard that covers his cheeks, chin and moustache area, rendered in intricate detail. The individual areas of the face are held in a harmonious balance with each other and are separated by slight nasolabial folds and wrinkles on the forehead, as well as a furrow above the upper lip. Comparisons with dated coin portraits allow us to date this head to the period of co-rule, 253–260 CE. Together with other portraits in the round, the Berlin head belongs to a clearly defined group of works, distinctive by the coiffure, physiognomy and the stretched shape of the head. This type heralded a newfound virtuosity in the modelling of voluminous hair. Emperor portraits before this time, from around 220 to 250, were largely characterised by the use of hair caps that flattened the coiffure, as well as hard lines that divided it. The plastic accentuation of locks of hair on the forehead not only aimed to create a more vivid likeness, but most importantly sought to revive an older portrait tradition from the Julio-Claudian era (27 BCE to 68 CE). Portraits of Gallienus’ father Valerian were similarly fashioned to reinforce the idea that the two were of the same dynasty.