Des Siegers Beute

Gilded bronze statues were the highest honor that the Roman senate could grant in the late Republic. The best-preserved statues of this kind are the bronze statue group discovered, in fragmentary condition, in Cartoceto shortly after the end of the Second World War. After extensive restorations, they were placed in a museum at Pergola. The historical context of this sculpture group is unclear: why were the statues not set up, but also not recycled? Why were they preserved in such a remote location? This study explores a solution to these questions: the supposition that the commander who is honored in this statue group is Gaius Asinius Pollio (c. 74 BC - 7 AD), Roman senator and consul in the year 39 BC. On October 25 of 39 BC, Pollio celebrated a triumph after his victory over the Illyrians. The gilt bronzes from Cartoceto di Pergola were created for this occasion. Soon afterward, however, the political situation in Rome changed, and it was no longer an opportune time to set up the statues.