The marble head, 58 cm high, was discovered in Ocriculum at the end of 1700 and it was part of a statue of colossal dimensions, with the naked parts made of marble and the rest of the body of masonry and stucco (technique of the acrolith - large statue made of different materials). The figure represents a divinity, probably the Jupiter of the local capitolium, the temple devoted to the divine triad made up of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, and was a copy of the Jupiter’s statue placed within the Rome’s capitol temple. 

The original cult statue, dating back to the end of 6th century B.C., was destroyed in a fire in 83 B.C. A new simulacrum was executed by a Greek artist, Apollonius, who used as a model the famous statue of Zeus at Olympia, artwork of the sculptor Phidias. Zeus at Olympia, probably the most famous statue of the ancient times, should have been more than 14 metres tall and was executed with gold and ivory. The god was sitting on a throne decorated with paintings and sculptures: his head decorated with olive branches, holding his right hand a statue representing a Victory and in his left hand a sceptre topped by an eagle. The artwork was executed in the thirties of the fifth century B.C, right after the completion of the Parthenon. This statue of Apollonius served as a model for statues of many municipal capitoliums, among which, probably, the Jupiter of Ocriculum. 

Otricoli Municipal Antiquarium opening times

From October to March
Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 10.30 am - 12.30 pm

From April to September
Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 10 am - 1 pm

Just upon booking in the working days and in hours different from those indicated above. 

Contacts
Email addresses: info@comune.otricoli.tr.it – agnesenunzi@hotmail.it 
Phone Number: 0744 719628 – 329.9482481
Web site: www.comune.otricoli.tr.it