Bust of Marcus Aurelius, A.D. 161–180, Unknown, Roman. Gold. Site et Musée romains d’Avenches et Musée cantonal d’archéologie et d’histoire, Etat de Vaud
The Gold Emperor from Aventicum
GETTY VILLA
The Getty Villa
This is a past event
This unique portrait bust of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who ruled from AD 161 to 180, was excavated in Avenches, Switzerland—the ancient Roman site of Aventicum—in 1939. Discover this remarkable object, made by hammering a single sheet of gold, and explore the history of an ancient city where Roman institutions blended with the local traditions of a Celtic tribe known as the Helvetii.