In the Middle Ages, two legends about the
Marcus Aurelius statue (then thought to be Constantine) grew up in Rome.
One said that when the Marcus Aurelius was
turned to gold again (remember he was once gilded), Rome would rise and rule the
world again.
The other legend said that when the Marcus
Aurelius lost all his gold, Rome would fall and the world would end.
Neither is likely to happen now, as the
new pavilion for the Marcus Aurelius in the Capitoline Museums is designed to
preserve the sculpture and his remaining gilding exactly as they are.
