THE MARQ TRAVELS TO THE HERMITAGE

A DOUBLE HEAD OF A ROMAN EAGLE FOUND AT LUCENTUM
VENUE: STATE MUSEUM OF THE HERMITAGE
DECEMBER 2010 - MARCH 2011
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In December 2010 the MARQ will make history by exhibiting one of its best pieces in a preferential exhibition room, the Throne Room or Saint George Hall, designated by the prestigious Hermitage Museum (Saint Petersburg) for pieces of special value and interest. This activity is in anticipation of the series of events to be held in 2011 to mark the celebration of the DUAL YEAR SPAIN-RUSSIA and the MARQ is donating an exceptional piece: a sculptural fragment corresponding to a left hand holding the hilt of a sword. Its pommel, formed by two beautiful eagle heads joined at the nape of the neck and facing opposite directions, is an exceptional find, as there is no other example in Greco-Roman iconography of two-headed eagle handles.. Between 9 December and 9 March, it will be on view to countless visitors to the Russian museum.

The piece, found in 2005 in the Roman Forum at LucentumIt was subjected to a rigorous process of restoration, analysis and study that generated relevant information. It was part of a monumental bronze sculpture, probably representing a 1st century AD emperor wearing a military uniform with cuirass (statue of an emperor in the 1st century AD). thoracata), approximately 2.20 m. high. New computer graphics techniques have been used to recreate a virtual image of the statue to which it belonged.

The hand shows two significant elements for its attribution to a monumental sculpture of an emperor. The swordwhich is a parazoniumThe weapon of the Roman emperors and high Roman officials, which is also held by some gods (Mars, Roma, Virtus, Honos), related to military virtues. And the ringon which is engraved the lituus o staff of the augurs, a symbol also held by the emperors who belonged to this priestly college. The statue was originally displayed on one of the pedestals in the forum square or inside one of the buildings of the surrounding architectural complex related to the cult.

The piece was unveiled to the international scientific community the same year of its discovery at the V Meeting of Roman Sculpture in Hispania. The research work and treatment of the piece were detailed in a careful monograph published in 2007, coinciding with its presentation to the public in the exhibition space for objects of singular relevance that the MARQ inaugurated with this piece in its foyer. In 2010, the Regional Archaeological Museum of Murcia exhibited it in a space, preferably as the piece of the month, and it is currently on display in the Roman Culture Room of the MARQ.