Marcus Aurelius Carus Sculpture

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to walk in the footsteps of an ancient Roman? This imposing structure, the Marcus Aurelius Carus Sculpture, offers a tangible connection to the past. It is the grave marker of Marcus Aurelius Carus, a Roman jurist, a citizen with the prestigious title of ‘sevir Augustalis’. The inscription tells us he was born free and not a freedman. Carus belonged to a group of six prominent figures, the ‘seviri Augustalis’, responsible for conducting the imperial cult in this Roman city. Carus was a man of distinction, but his life was not all about pomp and ceremony. You see, Carus erected this monument to himself, his wife Faustinia, their daughter Aurelia, and other relatives. This was not an unusual practice during the Roman Empire. Carus dedicated much of his life serving in the Roman state, including as a magistrate on the local level, as ‘praetorian prefect’ under the emperor Probus, and in legal roles. Carus went on to become emperor himself, a feat he only briefly enjoyed before dying due to unknown circumstances. He was succeeded by his sons, Carinus and Numerian. Sadly, no one knows exactly what happened to him. However, his elaborate inscription reveals that the Romans in this area had a strong tradition of honoring their ancestors and family. Perhaps the most fascinating detail is the relief depicted on the front of the sculpture. A man sits in a niche between pilasters, likely portraying Carus. He holds a dog that leaps towards him, and a rooster stands beside him. The rooster possibly symbolizes the dawn of a new era. The dog remains a source of mystery, though some believe it symbolises loyalty to the Emperor or a protector of his household. It is a small, curious detail that reminds us that even a high-ranking Roman had a connection to his household and loved ones. The Marcus Aurelius Carus Sculpture is a testament to the enduring legacy of Roman influence in Augsburg. It serves as a reminder that history isn’t a distant memory – it’s woven into the very fabric of our surroundings.