Statue of Aion

Excavated in 1798 by Robert Fagan in the Mitreo Fagan near Tor Boacciana.
Date: 13 August 190 AD. W. 0.47, h. 1.65.

This marble statue was painted red. It is a representation of time: a naked body in the coils of a snake and with the head of a lion. In its hands are two keys and a sceptre. It has four wings, symbols of the seasons. It was dedicated by a "father" and two priests in the cult of Mithras, witness an inscription from 13 August 190 AD:

C(aius) VALERI VS HERACLES PAT(er) ET C(aii) VALERII VITALIS ET NICO MES SACERDO TES S(ua) P(e)C(unia) P(o)S(ue)R(unt) D(e)D(icatum) IDI(bus) AVG(ustis) IMP(eratore) COM(modo) VI ET SEPTI MIANO CO(n)S(ulibus)

Caius Valerius Heracles, father, and Caii Valerii Vitalis and Nicome(de)s, priests, placed it at their own expense. Dedicated August 13, Emperor Commodus for the 6th time and Septimianus being consuls [190 AD].

Paschetto 1912, nr. 59. Arachne 130646. CIL XIV, 65. EDCS-05700065. Photos: Andreu Aubuín and EDCS.