Marcus Aurelius

Portrait of the young Marcus Aurelius from the sector of the Forum of the “Colonia” Tarraco.
There are four types of portrait of Marcus Aurelius that are dated by comparing them with the effigies on coins. This head belongs to the second type created in 144 AD, when he was 23 years old, one year before his marriage to Faustina the Younger. It depicts the future emperor still with a youthful appearance. For political reasons this type of portrait continued to be used while he was crown prince, only changing when he ascended to the throne following the death of Antoninus Pius.
This portrait of the emperor Marcus Aurelius (161 - 180 AD) is one of the best preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona’s collection of imperial portraits.

Inventory number: MNAT 386