Behold this incredible Snake Statue. It is not just a statue. It is a gripping tale of good versus evil frozen in time.
This statue is of an eagle devouring a serpent. It was unearthed here in London. The Snake Statue is a breathtaking Roman sculpture. It is nearly 2000 years old. This sculpture symbolizes good triumphing over evil. Archaeologists believe it was the centerpiece of a Roman mausoleum.
Imagine the scene. It is the 1st or 2nd century AD. A wealthy Roman Londoner commissions a sculpture for their family tomb. They want to show off their wealth. They also want to commemorate the dead. The Snake Statue is made from oolitic limestone. This stone comes from the Cotswolds. Sculptors from this region were known for their skill.
The eagle signifies a force of good in Roman art. It is also a symbol of Jupiter. Jupiter was chief of the Roman gods. The creature is eating a snake. This shows it has triumphed over evil and death. The Snake Statue could also have played a protective role. The person might have been a member of the ‘cult of Jupiter’.
The level of detail is stunning. Notice the forked tongue of the snake. See the individual feathers of the eagle. The sculpture is so well-preserved that archaeologists doubted its age. They initially thought it was a Victorian copy. Experts confirmed that it is a genuine Roman relic.
The Snake Statue was found on the Minories. This street is close to the Tower of London. The area was thought to be the location of Roman cemeteries. The statue was buried for centuries. It was hidden beneath a busy street.
The Snake Statue is a rare example of funerary sculpture. It helps us understand Roman cemeteries. These cemeteries lined the roads out of the city. The statue provides insight into the beliefs of those buried there.
This sculpture is one of only two of its type in the world. The other was found in Jordan in 1937. The Snake Statue found here is the finest sculpture by a Romano-British artist. It is an exceptional piece. Its condition is extraordinary. The carving is as crisp as the day it was carved.
The Snake Statue offers a glimpse into Roman London. It was a city of around 30000 people. Myth and daily life were intertwined. Wealthy families marked their passing with extraordinary art. The Snake Statue protected the deceased. It was frozen in an eternal struggle against evil.