File photo of a recent bit of the statue found by archaeologists. Photo: DPA

Archaeologists uncover large Roman statue of Augustus

Published: 25 Aug 09 09:06 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20090825-21467.html

Archaeologists in have discovered fragments of a 2,000-year-old bronze Roman equestrian statue of Emperor Augustus in a stream near Giessen, the Hessian state science ministry has announced.

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"There has never been a find of such quality and preservation in Germany," a statement from the ministry said, adding that it was a "sensational" discovery.

On August 12, archaeologists pulled the gold-gilded, life-sized head of a horse and a shoe of the emperor – who ruled the Roman Empire between 23 BC and 14 AD – from a stream in what was once the Roman outpost Germania Magna. Experts there have uncovered several bits of the statue among some 20,000 artefacts uncovered at the site in recent years.

Scientists from the University of Jena believe it may have been destroyed by Roman soldiers retreating after the legendary Varusschlacht, or the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, when Germanic tribes ambushed and wiped out three Roman legions. As the remaining Roman troops retreated after the devastating defeat, they destroyed most of what they could not take with them.

“Due to the location of the find, there is a unique possibility to date the statue to a few exact years and establish a connection to the events surrounding the Varusschlacht 2,000 years ago,” the statement said.

The ministry plans to make an official presentation of the find on August 27.

DPA/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

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19:15 August 26, 2009 by Joe_Geranio
It would be only the second equestrian statue found of princeps Augustus. This is exciting news and I would love to see some photos. Please let us know if there are any photos of the statue.

Joe Geranio

Julio Claudian Iconographic Association
04:21 August 28, 2009 by Joe_Geranio
Thanks Joseph. Very exciting photos.
09:50 August 28, 2009 by Dr. Love
Since Germaina Magna means "Greater Germany:"

1. I don't think I'd characterize it as an outpost.

2. Telling us that it was found there is pretty much the same as telling us that it was found "somewhere north of the Rhein and Donau."
I think the term 'outpost' fits well since Germania was not fully conquered by the Romans and the area was then the boundary of the Roman Empire.

Germania
Germania was defined by Rome as having two regions: Lesser Germania, west and south of the Rhine, occupied by the Romans, and Greater Germania (Magna Germania) east of the Rhine.

The occupied Germania was divided into two provinces: Germania Inferior (Lower Germania) (approximately corresponding to the southern part of the present-day Low Countries) and Germania Superior (Upper Germania) (approximately corresponding to present-day Switzerland and Alsace).

The Romans under Augustus began to conquer and defeat the Germania Magna in 12 BC, having the Legati (generals) Germanicus and Tiberius leading the Legions. By AD 6, all of Germania up to the River Elbe was temporarily pacified by the Romans as well as being occupied by them. The Roman plan to complete the conquest and incorporate all of Magna Germania into the Roman Empire was frustrated when Rome was defeated by the German tribesmen in the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in AD 9.

Augustus then effected Roman withdrawal from Magna Germania (completed by AD 16) and established the boundary of the Roman Empire as being the Rhine and the River Danube.
Map of Magna Germania

[attachment=111100:Imperium_Romanum_Germania.jpg]
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