Many of noble families palazzi in 16th century Rome were decorated with either stuccoes or paintings or graffiti
Here's one example. Palazzo Ricci near Piazza Farnese takes its name from cardinal Ricci, who owned it at the end of the 1500s.
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The graffiti (from 1525) outside draw on mythical episodes of Roman history, such the foundations of Rome and the Rape of the Sabines. One of the last frames shows the episode of a noble youth called Mucius Scaevola.
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During the wars with the Etruscans, Gaius Mucius entered the enemy camp to assassinate king Porsenna. However, instead of killing him, he kills one of his men. When he is brought before Porsenna, the man shows his contempt for torture by voluntarily placing his right hand in a fire.
❓☝️Have you ever come across one of these palaces in Italy?
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The "Curia" was the main building for the meetings of the ancient Roman senate. The current building dates from the end of the III century AD and still keeps its original floor since it was converted to a church in 630.
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The marble floor is a beautiful example of "opus sectile", in which pieces of colored stone are fitted together in figured patterns or geometric shapes.
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The two large marble reliefs visibile in the rolm were found in the Forum and depict an animal sacrifice and the emperor celebrating the "alimenta" (food relief program).
The porphyry statue (red marble from Egypt) in the background was found behind the Curia and is thought to belong to a monument honoring emperor Trajan (II century AD).
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The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius
This incredibile statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius is part of the collection of the Capitoline Museums whereas a modern copy is visible in Piazza del Campidoglio.
It is made of gilded bronze and represents the Emperor Marcus Aurelius addressing to the soldiers. It is the only equestrian monument from antiquity left in Rome.
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The statue was moved to the Capitoline Hill in 1538 when Michelangelo redesigned Piazza del Campidoglio, the area on top of hill. Its original location in ancient Rome is still debated and was probably a public square in central Rome, since equestria statues were considered honorific monuments, once destined to those who brought glory to Rom.
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It was made around 176 AD to celebrate one of the campaigns the emperor led against Germanic tribes.
Lost are the reins of the horse while stirrups had not been introduced yet to the West.
Bronze statues are rare to find in Rome as metals were reused over time and this is a stunning example of gilding as well (even if new gold was applied in the Renaissance).
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