This sculpture was almost certainly made
during the reign of the emperor Marcus Aurelius,
between 161-180 CE.
It is the only complete bronze equestrian
statue to survive from antiquity. And it is well over life-size, standing
some 11 ½ feet tall.
Made of bronze, the sculpture was once gilded
with gold and still shows traces of gilding, especially on the horses’s head,
and the face and garment of Marcus Aurelius.
Marcus Aurelius wears a tunic and a cloak,
clothing that indicates his poistion as leader of the Roman army. He also
wears a philsopher’s beard and is shown with one hand extended as he addresses a
crowd.
