In the Appia Antica archaeological park, during some excavation works by the Acea company, a statue was found which most likely depicts Imperial Hercules. As soon as the presence of the finds was detected, the team of technicians immediately reported the find to the Archaeological Superintendency of Fine Arts and Landscape.
Imperial Hercules
On the Facebook profile of the Appia Antica Archaeological Park, the experts let it be known that "during the very first analyzes carried out on the statue we found a fair similarity between the portrait of our character as Hercules and the emperor Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius. The illustrious character, better known as Decius Trajan, in power from 249 to 251, was killed, together with his son Erennio Etrusco, in the battle of Abrittus between Goths and Romans.
The face of 'our Hercules' – the archaeologists continue – although corroded, it seems to share the 'anxiety wrinkles' with the official portraits of Decius. Distinctive features that recall the Roman republican portraiture; wrinkles intended to represent concern for the fate of the state, a virtue highly valued in the high offices of the empire. Other characteristic features are the treatment of the sparse beard and the morphology of the eyes, nose and lips".
Again according to the experts, “this is a very first working hypothesis: after cleaning, further elements will emerge which may confirm it or direct towards other identifications. Indeed, we are examining all possibilities, including private portraiture, always considering that our character, represented in the guise of Hercules, was most likely to have been a prominent figure".
The hidden treasures of Rome
In the subsoil of Rome there are frequent cases of discoveries of archaeological sites and artifacts. Among these is the discovery in 2018 in Ponte Milvio of an imperial-era building during the excavation works carried out by Acea-Areti for interventions on the electricity grid in the area. Other important discoveries in the past have seen Acea engaged on the front line together with the institutions. As in 2019 with the truly unique discovery of a perfectly preserved skeleton, it came to light during some excavations in Piazzale Ostiense.
And, again, exactly one year ago some sepulchral complexes from the second century AD were found less than a meter underground in Via Luigi Tosti in Appio Latino districtduring interventions on the water network. This collaboration has allowed the company to make a further contribution to the enhancement of a unique heritage in the world, which is that of Rome and testifies to the attention that Acea has towards the historical-artistic beauties of the Capital city.
(Text source Askanews/ Facebook photo Appia Antica Archaeological Park)
