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The gold bust of Marcus Aurelius is a gold bust found on April 19, 1939 in Avenches, a commune in western Switzerland. Measuring 33.5 centimetres (13.2 in) high and weighing 1.6 kilograms (3.5 lb), it is the largest known metal bust of a Roman emperor and is considered one of the most important archaeological finds in Switzerland.
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Gold bust of Marcus Aurelius | |
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fr: Buste en or de Marc Aurèle | |
Year | 2nd century |
Type | Sculpture |
Medium | gold |
Subject | Marcus Aurelius |
Dimensions | 33.5 cm (13.2 in) |
Location | Musée romain d'Avenches, Avenches, Switzerland |
Coordinates | 46°52′55″N 7°2′47″E |
Discovered by chance during an excavation of the sewers of the Cigognier sanctuary in Aventicum, the bust is kept for security at the Banque cantonale vaudoise in Lausanne; a copy is on permanent display at the Roman Museum in Avenches. The original has only been exhibited a dozen times, including two exhibitions in Avenches, in 1996 and 2006. The bust seems to have been created by a goldsmith from the Aventicum region, although the rarity of ancient busts in precious metals prevents a clear analysis of its style.
Initially interpreted as the emperor Antoninus Pius, the bust is most often considered to represent his successor, Marcus Aurelius, in the last years of his life. The interpretation of the bust, made by studying portraits of Roman emperors from period numismatics and emperors' busts, is, however, disputed by Jean-Charles Balty, who believes that the bust represents the emperor Julian.