DiscussionStatue of Dionysus set up by C. Ceionius Rufius Volusianus signo Lampadius. From Ostia. Later fourth century. DESCRIPTION (Object)Life-size headless statue. H: 133 cm. H (of plinth): 8-8.5 cm. W (at knees): 61cm. D (at knees): 68 cm. ‘Greek’ marble with yellow tone. The head, neck, right arm, left forearm, and left shin are missing. The right arm and left hand were worked separtely. The statue is well-worked. A poorly-cut, two-line inscription has been added to the plinth. PROVENANCE The statue was found in the sanctuary of Magna Mater (Metroon) near the Porta Laurentina at Ostia in May 1940. It was among the 19 sculptures which were found in two locations, the rectangular entrance or in the large apse of the sanctuary. For another late statue from the same sanctuary, see l>2540">LSA-2540 INSCRIPTION Volusianus v(ir) c(larissimus) ex pra efectis tauroboliatus d(ono) d(edit) Volusianus, a man of clarissimus rank, a former prefect, who received a taurobolium, gave this as a gift. DESCRIPTION (Subject) The statue wears a nebris diagonally across the upper body from the left shoulder to right waist; a chlamys wrapped around the hip, thighs, and lower left arm; and soft decorated boots (mullei). This is an unusual combination of attributes but does identify the statue as Dionysus. The body weight rests over the right leg; the left arm rests at the side of the body and is bent. The head turned to the right. DATE The size and manufacture of the statue belong to the high imperial period. The separately worked arms suggest an earlier rather than later date within that period. The inscription on plinth of the statue is secondary. The donor recorded in the inscription (PLRE I, 978-980, C. Ceionius Rufius Volusianus signo Lampadius) was prefect of the city of Rome in 365. On this statue of Dionysos, he refers to himself as a former prefect. Thus the statue dates after 365. DONOR The donor comes from a well-known family and is himself well-known. His name is preserved in the dedication or setting up of at least eight other statues; see, l>1285">LSA-1285, l>1286">LSA-1286, l>1287">LSA-1287, l>1288">LSA-1288, l>1290">LSA-1290, l>1371">LSA-1371, and l>1530">LSA-1530. These are mainly imperial dedications. He was a dedicated pagan: according to CIL VI 846, a hierophant, prophet of Isis, and pontifiex of the Sun. CIL VI 846 is described as a base excavated on the Aventine in Rome and records that the religious Ceionius Rufus fulfills his vows. It is the sort of object on which this statue of Dionysos might have stood. C. Ceionius Rufius Volusianus signo Lampadius’ son of the same name and a daughter, Rufia Volusiana, were similarly involved pagans. They both had experience with taurobolia and set up altars to Cybele (CIL VI 512 for the son who celebrated two taurobolia and CIL VI 509= IG XIV 1018 for the daughter and her husband). The unusual iconography of the statue might have made it particularly appealing to the fourth-century dedicator as an arcane and thus more truly ‘antique’ image of the god. Main ReferenceCalza, R. 'Sculture rinvenute nel santuario', Atti della Pontificia Accademia romana di Archeologia. Memorie. 6., Vatican City 1943, 119-220, fig. 21 L'Année épigraphique, , 1945, 55 Discussion ReferencesVermaseren, M. J., Corpus Cultus Cybelae Attidisque. III Italia-Latium, Leiden 1977, no. 366, pl. 228 (AD 366-390) |
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