Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius

The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius is one of the most important surviving bronze sculptures from ancient Rome. It survived primarily because medieval Romans believed it depicted Constantine the Great, the first emperor to embrace Christianity.

It is made of bronze and stands 4.24 m (13.9 ft) tall. Marcus Aurelius extends his hand in a gesture of adlocutio used by emperors when addressing their troops.

The statue was erected around 175 AD. More than 20 other bronze equestrian statues of emperors and generals had been melted down since the end of the Imperial Roman era. Its thought the Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius is the only survivor. The statue appears on the reverse of an aureus of Marcus Aurelius struck in 174 AD. It is also depicted on the reverse of the modern Italian €0.50 coin.

There's a legend behind the so-called owl which sits on the horse’s head. Legend says that the owl will spring to life and sing to herald the end of the world. This will happen on the day the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius “discovers in gold”; when the statue is entirely covered in gold. The statue of Marcus Aurelius was gilded bronze. Only traces of gilding remain on the statue.