Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.
A large and impressive carved lime wood figure of an adaption…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
14-Dec-2016
Lot No.
***
Description:
A large and impressive carved lime wood figure of an adaption of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (ruled 161AD-180AD), Italian, early 18th century, 198 cm high, Marcus Aurelius, whose original name was Marcus Annius Verus, was born in Rome on April 20, 121AD. He became emperor in 161AD and throughout his reign he was engaged in defensive wars on the northern and eastern frontiers of the empire, his legions succeeded in repelling the invasion of Syria by the Parthians in 166AD, but Rome was again forced into battle in 167AD by the Germanic tribes on the Rhine-Danube frontier. Marcus Aurelius returned to Rome intermittently during the German campaign to make legal and administrative reforms. Although he was particularly concerned with the public welfare and sold even his personal possessions to alleviate the effects of famine and plague within the empire, he ruthlessly persecuted the Christians, believing them a threat to the imperial system. In 176AD he returned to the northern frontier, hoping to extend the boundaries of the empire north-eastward to the Wisla (Vistula) river. He died of the plague in Vindobona (now Vienna) on March 17, 180AD, before he could begin the invasion. His plan was abandoned by his son and successor, Commodus. In his domestic policy Marcus Aurelius was a champion of the poor, for whom he founded schools, orphanages and hospitals, and alleviated the burden of taxes. He also tried to humanize criminal laws and the treatment of slaves by their masters. As a philosopher he is remembered for his Meditations, a compendium of 12 books of moral precepts written in Greek. The work, an important formulation of the philosophy of Stoicism, reveals his belief that the moral life leads to tranquility, and stresses the virtue of wisdom, justice, fortitude and moderation.
Estimate:
***
Price:
***
Category:
Unclassified