As in Rome, mediocrity meets eternity. On January 25, simple repairs to restore a drainpipe led to the discovery of an archaeological treasure in the basement of Parco Scott, near the ancient Via Appia, in the south of the Italian capital. After the excavator’s blade tripped over a rock, workers turned the dirt to make it possible to unearth an ancient marble statue of Hercules, alarming archaeologist Federica Acierno, who led the preventive excavation at the site .
The Greek hero is recognized for his features: a lion’s skin worn as a headdress, feline paws tied to his chest, and a club. The object found is located at a depth of about 20 meters in the Eternal City and dates back to the imperial period (27 BC to 476 AD). Its exact date has yet to be determined. Archaeologists at the Appia Antica Regional Park say it was not found in its original setting, but in a dike built by XXelectronic century for the laying of drainage pipes.
The life-size statue – with features reminiscent of a middle-aged man – pays homage to a wealthy Roman who once incarnated as Hercules to mark his status.According to Reuters, citing archaeologist Francesca Romana Paolillo of the Regional Park of Apia Antica, The character bears some resemblance to the known image of Decius, who rose to power in Rome in 249 and 251. After suffering accidental damage when it was discovered, the broken portion of the statue has now been restored and the coal gangue removed for display to the public at a later date. Ongoing work should help to more accurately identify the powerful Roman covered by this demigod-like statue.
via Appia connects Rome with the port of Brindisi, which is located in Puglia and has a total length of nearly 550 kilometers. Since January 11, the Italian Ministry of Culture has supported the inscription of the route on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It takes its name from the statesman and Roman scholar Appio Claudio Cieco, who wanted its layout to facilitate the movement of armies south of the peninsula, first to Capua and then to Greece Portal Brindisi (Brindisi) mobile. East.