Roman Marble Relief w/ Thracian Horse & Rider

**Originally Listed At $1200**

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A carved pedimented Roman marble stele dedicated to a Thracian Rider mounted upon a striding horse in high relief set in the gabled aedicula. The horseman wears a short chiton or tunic that is wonderfully detailed with a scarf or sash, belt, and pleats, and a pointed helmet; his raised right hand clenching a dagger or short sword, or perhaps a decorated hunting horn or spear; his left holding the reigns of the galloping horse. In addition there are symbolic motifs adorning the pediment. Thracian horseman symbolizing victory and strength were a recurring motif on eastern Balcanic mythology during the Roman era. Size: 7.5" W x 10.875" H (19 cm x 27.6 cm); 11.625" H (29.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Scholars believe this riding hero to be the main deity of Ancient Thrace who was extremely popular in the Roman period and did not appear to have a name, but instead was referred to only as the hero. A widespread cult of gods or heroes who appeared as hunters or riders on horseback existed from about 1000 BCE. Some examples include the Greek Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, the Romano-Celtic Jupiter Taranis and the Danubian rider-gods. A superb example of this wondrous mythological figure!

For additional discussion of this iconography, see Nicolae, C. The Iconography of the Antique Hero in the Balkan Area, in Marisia vol.XXXI, 2011.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s

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#145860
Condition Report: Normal surface wear and abrasions with earthen deposits. Old losses to peripheries and high-pointed areas as shown. Otherwise in excellent condition with remarkable detail remaining. Auction house label on the stand.