| Date | second quarter of the 2nd century A.D. |
|---|---|
| Object type | sculpture |
| Medium, technique | carved, marble |
| Dimensions | 45 × 49 × 21 cm |
| Inventory number | 4811 |
| Collection | Classical Antiquities |
| On view | Museum of Fine Arts, Basement Floor, Classical Antiquity, Eros – Dionysos – Thanatos |
Chariot races were the most popular and most expensive sport in the Graeco-Roman world, and charioteers were among the most celebrated stars in imperial Rome. The clothes of the charioteer represented by this bust are pulled tight by the straps of the reins. The reins, thrust over the neck, encircle the chest three times; the competitor could thus use his entire body to steer the chariot – but if it crashed, he could not get out. The head was separately fitted to the bust, so it could be easily replaced with that of an even more popular competitor.
Marble analyses have shown that the bust was made of Afyon marble.
This record is subject to revision due to ongoing research.
