A ROMAN IMPERIAL TORSO FROM the MUSEUM of ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS

This study examines a naked torso from the Roman Imperial Period exhibited in the garden of the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. The torso was made of white marble and is slightly over life sized. It was found at an unspecified date in the vicinity of the ancient city of Iuliopolis/Juliopolis in the district of Nallıhan, 122 kilometers northwest of Ankara, Turkey and delivered to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. There is no context for the artifact due to the uncertainty of the place of discovery. It also lacks arms, legs, head, and inscription. Therefore, it is impossible to determine its exact location and identity. However, the research conducted based on similar examples allows for a partial interpretation of the sculpture. Accordingly, it is thought that it was for a benefactor who made important contributions to the Juliopolis and that his sculpture was probably exhibited in a public building. In addition, the stylistic features indicate that the work may have been made in parallel with the development of the city during the Augustan Period. The present study focuses on the introduction, identity, location of display, and the period to which it may belong.