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Apotheosis Of Antoninus Pius And Faustina Essay

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Apotheosis of Antoninus Pius and Faustina The pedestal of the Column of Antoninus titled, “Apotheosis of Antoninus Pius and Faustina” represents the holy acceptance of Antoninus Pius and Faustina in to heaven and their righteous ascent to the afterlife. This seen was exquisitely carved out of marble ca. 161 ce.; this piece’s current location is Musei Vaticani, Rome. The 8’ 1 ½” pedestal depicts Antoninus Pius and Faustina being led up by a winged creature. Apotheosis of Antoninus Pius and Faustina is the accent of Antoninus Pius and his wife Faustina in to heaven. The high relief marble is an imposing pedestal with 5 figures filled with movement and active movement. The piece is well proportioned and is done in a naturalistic approach. It is carved in a typical classical roman style with layering of …show more content…

The winged man caries a globe, possibly representing earth with a snake warped around the sphere. His face is calm and collected similar to the other figures in the work. Above the wings of the central man are two eagles flying with him and the royal couple. The eagle could represent royalty for Antoninus himself caries a captor with an eagle perched on it. His wife also carries a captor in her hand. the wings of the man and the two eagles fame them. Below the ascending angle are two possible gods, one reclined on a stone and draped in lose cloth on his lower body. He holds an upright obelisk that draws your attention up and out to the apotheosis. The second god is seated on a possible chair. Her face is calm as she reaches out to the winged man as he paces through the sky. She wears a commander helmet and caries a sword. Her right arm is rested on a shield that depicts the founders of Rome being nursed by the she wolf. Scattered on the ground are helmets a shield, and arrows all put aside, possibly a sign of

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