DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15101#0074
40
that the general character of the features of Csesar are as well
known and as clearly marked as those of any personage of Roman
times. We have busts of him—statues of him—above all the
admirable silver coins of the yEmilian and Voconian families, on
which his face is so well pourtrayed that there can be no real
doubt about it.(1) There is an agreement among these which is
perfectly satisfactory, and which proves, as we might have antici-
pated, that the general appearance of Csesar was well known.
Now with all of these the bust before us exhibits a striking
similarity, while with that of the coins of Magnesia it has no
affinity. It may also be remarked that most of the recognized
busts of Julius Csesar represent him as laureate, as is also the case
on the earlier consular coins : it is only on the restored coins of
the time of Trajan that his head appears unadorned with a wreath.
We feel little difficulty, therefore, in deciding that this bust must
be appropriated to Julius Csesar.
The life of Julius Csesar is so well known that it is only neces-
sary to notice some of the most prominent facts of his career.
He was born on the 12th of July, b.c. 100, and was murdered
at the time he had nearly completed his fifty-sixth year, on the
15th of March, b.c. 44. During the early portion of his life, his
family connection with Marius brought him into contact with the
popular party ; he was Qusestor in b.c. 68, and Prsetor in b.c.
(52, the year preceding that of the discovery of the famous con-
spiracy of Catiline. In b.c 59 he was Consul, with M. Bibulus,
and from b.c. 58 to b.c. 49 he Avas occupied in the slow but suc-
cessful subjugation of Gaul. In the spring of the last year the
civil war between him and Pompey broke out, which was practi-
cally terminated by the battle of Pharsalia on Aug. 9, b.c. 48.
i Museo P. Clem. tav. 38, very like, especially about the mouth and neck. Statue in
Louvre; Clarac, PI. 309, No.2317; resembling that in the Museo Capitolino. It came
originally from the Yilla Borghese. Visconti considers authentic busts to be very rare.
Cf., also, Clarac, PI. 910, No. 2318 P., from Coll. Mattei; and PI. 910, No. 2318 C,
also from Mattei Coll.
that the general character of the features of Csesar are as well
known and as clearly marked as those of any personage of Roman
times. We have busts of him—statues of him—above all the
admirable silver coins of the yEmilian and Voconian families, on
which his face is so well pourtrayed that there can be no real
doubt about it.(1) There is an agreement among these which is
perfectly satisfactory, and which proves, as we might have antici-
pated, that the general appearance of Csesar was well known.
Now with all of these the bust before us exhibits a striking
similarity, while with that of the coins of Magnesia it has no
affinity. It may also be remarked that most of the recognized
busts of Julius Csesar represent him as laureate, as is also the case
on the earlier consular coins : it is only on the restored coins of
the time of Trajan that his head appears unadorned with a wreath.
We feel little difficulty, therefore, in deciding that this bust must
be appropriated to Julius Csesar.
The life of Julius Csesar is so well known that it is only neces-
sary to notice some of the most prominent facts of his career.
He was born on the 12th of July, b.c. 100, and was murdered
at the time he had nearly completed his fifty-sixth year, on the
15th of March, b.c. 44. During the early portion of his life, his
family connection with Marius brought him into contact with the
popular party ; he was Qusestor in b.c. 68, and Prsetor in b.c.
(52, the year preceding that of the discovery of the famous con-
spiracy of Catiline. In b.c 59 he was Consul, with M. Bibulus,
and from b.c. 58 to b.c. 49 he Avas occupied in the slow but suc-
cessful subjugation of Gaul. In the spring of the last year the
civil war between him and Pompey broke out, which was practi-
cally terminated by the battle of Pharsalia on Aug. 9, b.c. 48.
i Museo P. Clem. tav. 38, very like, especially about the mouth and neck. Statue in
Louvre; Clarac, PI. 309, No.2317; resembling that in the Museo Capitolino. It came
originally from the Yilla Borghese. Visconti considers authentic busts to be very rare.
Cf., also, Clarac, PI. 910, No. 2318 P., from Coll. Mattei; and PI. 910, No. 2318 C,
also from Mattei Coll.