Marcus Aurelius and the Equestrian Statue

Marcus Aurelius: Rome's Philosopher King — Fexingo History · Aug 3, 2026 · 6m · transcript

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the story behind one of the most iconic images of Roman power: the gilded bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. They trace its creation in the 2nd century CE, its survival through the fall of Rome, its medieval misidentification as Constantine, and its placement on the Capitoline Hill by Michelangelo. Along the way, they discuss the statue's political symbolism, the technical feat of its casting, and how it became a template for later equestrian monuments. The conversation also touches on the statue's role in Renaissance Rome, its…