CAPITAL FROM THE SUMMA CAVEA, 75-120 CE. COLOSSEUM
This richly-carved Corinthian capital is not exactly Corinthian. It seems Domitianic in execution and in invention. Though it has been subjected to the systematic breakage that marks a piece of marble destined for the kilns, we can still see the main detail of a Medusa head, two snakes tied under her chin and with wings atop her head. Medusa's head is on a shield held up by the sinuous curves of a much larger snake. Pieces of wings to the right and left of the shield suggest the former presence of fully rounded Pegasi which have been knocked off. The Pentelic marble is an expensive Greek import, suitable for what was intended as a palace of entertainment for the people, lavishly decorated. In fact this comes from the summa cavea, the highest section of seating, where even women were allowed.
#ReliefWednesday finds us at the #Colosseum where this massive #Corinthian #capital testifies to the exuberant #Flavian #Baroque of the original decoration. From a base of #acanthus emerges a shield with a #Gorgon head, and #Pegasi at the corners, a real flight of fancy. #AncientBluesky 🏺