Relief from honorary monument to Marcus Aurelius: sacrifice to Capitoline Jupiter
The relief, from a monument dedicated to Marco Aurelio, represents the emperor engaged in the performance of a sacrifice on a handheld altar, flanked by priests, worship assistants and attendants.
In the background is the Tempio di Giove Capitolino on the Campidoglio portrayed with four columns on the front instead of the six known from the sources. The pediment of the temple has the Capitoline triad seated with Giove in the middle, Giunone on his right and Minerva on his left; at Giove's feet an eagle spreads its wings.
In the corners of the tympanum are two pairs of Cyclopes forging Jupiter's thunderbolts, at the presence of Tellus and Efesto once again. They are followed, on the right, by the chariot of the Sun and, on the left, by the chariot of the Moon. Below the triad (from left to right) stand Ercole, Salus and Esculapio. The central acroterium is composed by a chariot, while in the mutilated side ones two chariots can be recognised.
Masterpieces of the hall
The hall
The landings on the main staircase that leads to the upper floors feature large historical reliefs which originally were used to decorate public monuments.
Three panels from a triumphal arch refer to the exploits of Marcus Aurelius and are lined up on the first landing, while another three portraying the Emperor Hadrian are distributed one on each landing.
On the top floor, on either side of the entrance to the Picture Gallery, two splendid panels inlaid with coloured marble from the Basilica Iunii Bassi on the Esquiline face each other.
