Base of the Column of Antoninus Pius
Once supporting a victory column, the base carries two famed relief types. On one side the Apotheosis: Antoninus and Faustina ride skyward on a winged genius with an eagle, flanked by personifications of the Campus Martius. On the other, paired *decursio* scenes show armored cavalry circling standards in funerary parade. Crisp classicizing figures, drilled details, and geometric groundlines make a textbook of imperial rite and memory.
Why This Artwork Is Important
- Premier document of Antonine apotheosis and military funeral ritual.
- Model example of High Imperial state relief—myth, personification, ceremony.
What to Look For
- Winged genius bearing the imperial couple; eagle as Jupiter’s sign.
- Campus Martius personifications with obelisk and river.
- Cavalry riding in tight circles around standards (decursio).
Fun Fact
The obelisk personified on the base is the same one that now stands in Rome’s Piazza Montecitorio.
Last Minute Offers
Find the cheapest last-minute offers to visit General/Courtyards and see Base of the Column of Antoninus Pius with your own eyes!
| Date | Tickets | Tours |
|---|---|---|
| Buy for €39 | Buy for €70 | |
| Buy for €34 | Buy for €65 | |
| Buy for €56 | Buy for €75 | |
| Buy for €72 | Buy for €89 | |
| Buy for €65 | Buy for €77 | |
| Buy for €65 | Buy for €77 |
