All articles tagged with #marcus aurelius
A 1,840-year-old marble column in Rome depicting scenes from Marcus Aurelius's reign is undergoing a $2.3 million laser restoration, the most extensive use of laser technology on an ancient monument, to remove grime, repair damage, and preserve its historical integrity, with completion expected in 2026.
The Column of Marcus Aurelius in Rome, completed in 193 AD, vividly depicts the emperor's military campaigns during the Marcomannic Wars through intricate carvings, reflecting both triumph and the brutal realities of war. Recent laser restoration in 2025 has enhanced its details, preserving this ancient monument's legacy amid centuries of wear.
The Manhattan district attorney's office has seized a headless bronze statue believed to represent the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius from the Cleveland Museum of Art as part of an ongoing investigation into a smuggling network involving looted antiquities from Turkey. The statue, valued at $20 million and approximately 1,800 years old, is said to have been stolen in the 1960s from an archaeological site in Bubon, Turkey. Turkish officials have been claiming ownership of the statue, which the museum had previously referred to as a depiction of Marcus Aurelius but now calls "Draped Male Figure." The museum states that it takes provenance issues seriously and reviews claims responsibly.