British Museum / Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG / britishmuseum.org
London (British Museum), nr. inv. 1973.3-30.5. - Barbarian
Place of discovery: Ramleh Egipt, in Trajan's Palace, near Alexandria, location of a Roman fort.
Material: white marble.
Dimensions: height 103 cm, width 68.5 cm on the front side ; thickness on lateral side 53 cm.
Conservation status: part of a colossal statue - a barbarian prisoner near the garb of a character in standing position. This bearded barbarian apparently was part of a large sculptural ensemble, similar to the one from the balustrade on Capitolino (Trofei di Mario) in Rome. The two barbarians of the ensemble were represented seated squat, with hands tied behind their back, beneath a trophy. The barbarian on the right looks to the trophy; a small piece of the mantle of the other "barbarian” is still visible on the left side. The barbarian’s hair falls freely on the forehead and eye pupils are impressed. The sculpture is of an exceptional quality and it is made in marble of Paros.
Date: IInd century AD. The accurate dating is difficult, but it seems that the monument was part of the commemorative sculptures of the Eastern victories, generally made during the reign of Hadrian or beginning of the Antonins’ period.
Typology: Barbarian (Dacian).
