From Nero to Vespasian. Two re-carved marble portraits in Lucus Feroniae

Abstract

Reworking of marble portraits in Roman age is an interesting occurrence, because
of its related cultural, aesthetical and technical implications. Two refashioned marble
portraits of Vespasian found at Lucus Feroniae (one well-know, the other one less famous)
are case studies focusing on this topic very well. However, they clearly indicate
not only the technical skills of the local sculptors, but also provide significant data in
reconstructing the history of the colony and of the Volusii Saturnini family between the
Nero’s principate and the early Flavian age.
Keywords: Vespasian, portrait, reworking, Lucus Feroniae, Nero, Aedes Genii coloniae,
Volusii Saturnini.