Column of Antoninus Pius

The Antoninus Pius column was erected in honor of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius by his adoptive sons and successors of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. It was located not far from the place of his cremation on the Field of Mars (Campus Martius ) in Rome.

The base is made ​​of marble and was created by artist Heraclides. The column shaft was made ​​of red granite. A quarry inscription shows that they AD was produced in the year 106. On the front of the plinth divinization ( apotheosis ) of the emperor and his wife Faustina is presented. They are worn by the winged Genius Aion in the sky. On the opposite side there is an inscription with dedication.

The base was found in 1703 in Piazza Montecitorio. Just east of it is the column of Marcus Aurelius. The column of Antoninus Pius, however, was cut up to be used in the restoration of the meridian of the nearby Solarium Augusti. Only the upper portion was still present. The base of Antoninus Pius column is now on display in the Vatican Museums.