7/5/2023 0 Comments Colossus of constantine![]() ![]() It is comparable only to the colossal marble head from the Basilica of Maxentius, also in the Capitoline Museums, in the cortile (FIG.2a-b). It belonged to a statue of colossal dimensions, the head alone measuring 1.77 m. The bronze colossus of Constantine (AD 306-337) or one of his sons, which is exhibited in the Capitoline Museums, is known to have been standing outside the Lateran in the Middle Ages (FIG.1a-c). In the present paper, I venture to suggest that the bronze colossus originally portrayed Nero (AD 54-68), thereafter Commodus (AD 177-192), before it was given its present appearance in the early fourth century. The reuse was undertaken by way of highly skilled refashioning techniques. It was constructed from separately cast parts, and with a close look, there are traces of retouching and alterations. It is a rare bronze portrait of colossal size, which included a lot of material of a kind which was usually remoulded into exchangeable goods in Late Antiquity. The colossal Constantinian bronze portrait in the Capitoline Museum stands out as a unique example of Roman, large-scale portraiture. The bronze colossus originally portrayed Nero, thereafter Commodus, before it was given its present appearance in the early 4th century.Īssociate Professor, Numismatics and Classical Archaeology The restored colossus was set up on the market square in Barletta, near the church of San Sepulcro.Colossus of Constantine / Byzantine Legacy, Flickr, Creative Commons It was not until 1491 that sculptor Fabio Alfano came from Naples to renovate the sculpture, recreating the missing parts. The abandoned sculpture deteriorated, and in 1309 it was deprived of legs, which in time were melted down to the bells of the Dominican church in Manfredonia. The ship carrying him crashed off the coast of Barletta, and the waves threw the sculpture ashore after the Venetian ship carrying the treasures from Constantinople in the 13th century. The statue was robbed by the Venetians in the east during the Fourth Crusade in 1202, which ended with the looting of Constantinople by the Crusaders. One way or another, it is known that the colossus was discovered in the 13th century during excavation works ordered by Emperor Frederick II Hohenstauf in Ravenna, and it is likely that he was then transported to Barletta. The emperor was presented in a standing position, holding a globe and a cross in his hands (originally a scepter). Historians prefer the thesis that it is a likeness of Theodosius, Honorius, Valentinian I or Martian. On the subject of the identity of the ruler depicted, who is not sure – according to tradition, he depicts the reigning ruler of the seventh century of Heraclius. His dating is not certain, the uprising ranks between the 4th and the 6th centuries. The bronze statue, known as Colosso di Barletta, is 5.11 meters high, and has become the hallmark of Barletta. ![]() The landmark of the fortress is of course Colossus of Barletta. It was expanded under the authority of Anjou, when Barletta became an important center of Spanish control. The Templars and Teutonic Knights had the greatest influence here. During the Crusades, it was used as a shelter for soldiers leaving for the Holy Land. ![]() What is particularly important is Castello Svevo, an impressive castle erected in the 10th century by the Normans. Thanks to the knights-robbers we can admire today, among others the so-called – Colossus of Barletta.Ĭolossus of Barletta is a monumental late-antique sculpture depicting one of the Eastern Roman emperors currently located in the Italian Barletta.īarletta is a city with a great ancient history, which, however, became famous in the Middle Ages. It is thanks to transporting to Europe the spoils, mainly to Venice, surviving monuments of Constantinople, which certainly would not have survived the Turks’ conquest of the city in 1453. The most famous was in the era of crusades, but it was renowned for the Colossus of Barletta. On the one hand, the city is not crowded with tourists, on the other it is full of wonderful traces of the past. Rome’s contacts with Africa and Far Eastīarletta is a town in the Italian Apulia, which is the dream destination for lovers of monuments. ![]()
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