This statue in the Capitoline Museums represents Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger in the forms of Mars and Venus. The 228-centimeter tall marble sculpture was commissioned in 145 AD for the wedding of Marcus Aurelius, the future Roman Emperor, and Faustina the Younger, daughter of former Roman Emperor Antonius Pius.
Pope Benedict XIV donated this sculpture to the Capitoline Museums in 1750 after its discovery at the Isola Sacra necropolis in Ostia. Scholars believe the statues were designed after the Borghese Ares and the Aphrodite of Capua. Considering himself a dominant force on the battlefield, Marcus Aurelius chose to display himself as a personification of the Roman god of war.
The combination of Mars and Venus, or Ares and Aphrodite, embodies a complex couple among the gods. After reluctantly wedding the ugly god of smiths Hephaestus, the beautiful Aphrodite does not remain faithful and continues an affair with Ares. One day after Hephaestus pretends to leave for a trip, he catches the two lovers in bed with an unbreakable bronze net. Humiliatingly displayed before the other Olympian gods, Aphrodite and her enchanting looks cause Poseidon, Hermes, and Dionysus to fall in love with her, as well. She cuckolds Hephaestus multiple times in the future with mortal and immortals alike. Moreover, their passionate love begrudges the other when they are caught cheating, as shown in Ares’ murder of Adonis. This myth of revenge resembles Hera’s malice that haunts many of Zeus’ lovers.
The combination of Mars and Venus, or Ares and Aphrodite, embodies a complex couple among the gods. After reluctantly wedding the ugly god of smiths Hephaestus, the beautiful Aphrodite does not remain faithful and continues an affair with Ares. One day after Hephaestus pretends to leave for a trip, he catches the two lovers in bed with an unbreakable bronze net. Humiliatingly displayed before the other Olympian gods, Aphrodite and her enchanting looks cause Poseidon, Hermes, and Dionysus to fall in love with her, as well. She cuckolds Hephaestus multiple times in the future with mortal and immortals alike. Moreover, their passionate love begrudges the other when they are caught cheating, as shown in Ares’ murder of Adonis. This myth of revenge resembles Hera’s malice that haunts many of Zeus’ lovers.
- Adam Gabay
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