Inv. Scu 995

This head, which is made of pentelic marble, is believed to represent a boy of thirteen or fourteen years old. Many scholars identify him as Gordian III: the boy’s facial features and long neck are recognizable from depictions of Gordiano on Roman coins.Gordiano III was Roman Emperor from 238 A.D. until his death in the year 244. Gordiano III died in a Roman military campaign in the Orient against the Sassanid empire.

The hair of the sculpture was created from one block of marble carved in relief. The eyes and eyebrows were incised and give the boy a leftward gaze. Compared to other productions from the first half of the third century A.D., the portrait is well constructed and thus a quality piece.

The work was found on the Esquiline Hill in Rome in 1874, in Via Mamiani.