Archaeologists have made a huge discovery in the heart of Rome after stumbling upon a 2,000-year-old large marble head of Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine, winemaking, grape cultivation, fertility, ritual madness, theater, and religious ecstasy.
The Telegraph reported that the discovery was made during excavations, which are taking place near the remains of the ancient Roman Forum.
Archaeologists believe the head would have belonged to a large statue of the god dating back to the imperial era.
As digging around the remains of a medieval wall was taking place, the marble head surfaced, which they believe represents Dionysus, who the Romans called Bacchus.
“The archaeologists were excavating a late medieval wall when they saw, hidden in the earth, a white marble head,” said a statement from the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, which encompasses the Roman Forum.
“It was built into the wall, and had been recycled as a building material, as often happened in the medieval era. Extracted from the ground, it revealed itself in all its beauty.
“The face is refined and gracious, young and feminine. All of which makes us think this could be a depiction of Dionysus.”
According to reports, the marble head will be cleaned and eventually put on display.
Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele, the mortal daughter of the king of Thebes. He was worshiped by ancient Greeks as one of the 12 Olympians and was known to the Romans as Bacchus.
*Source: The Telegraph
