Statue: Episteme Kelsou
Römisch, Mittlere Kaiserzeit, 2. Jh. n. Chr.
Episteme Kelsou
A Roman portrait statue type with an artfully draped robe that was originally pulled over the head was repurposed as a personification of Celsus’ episteme, i.e. the understanding based on knowledge obtained from the books in the library. Note that the four personifications chosen to decorate the façade of the Library of Celsus depict not only human characteristics but also ancient philosophical ideas.
Object data
Object Name
Statue
Culture
Römisch
Period
Mittlere Kaiserzeit
Dated
2. Jh. n. Chr.
Site
Ephesos , Celsusbibliothek , Umgebung , Selçuk, Kleinasien, Türkei
Material
Marmor
Dimensions
L/H 180,5 cm
Image rights
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Antikensammlung
Inv. No.
Antikensammlung, I 881
Provenance
Sultan, Abdul, Hamid, II.; Österreichische Ausgrabungen in Ephesos; Geschenk an Kaiser Franz Joseph; 1911 nachträglich inventarisiert
Permalink (citable Link) to this page: www.khm.at/en/object/51932/
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