ROME (AP) — In honor of Emperor Constantine, the ruler known for his adoption of Christianity and significant role in spreading the faith across the Roman Empire, a reconstructed statue has been revealed to reflect his larger-than-life impact on history. The city of Rome displayed a colossal 13-meter replica of the statue that Constantine commissioned for himself after 312 AD. This replica was brought to life using 3D modeling technology based on scans of the nine original giant marble body parts that are still in existence. The result is an impressive seated figure of the emperor, adorned in a gilded tunic, clutching a scepter and orb, and overlooking his Rome from a garden adjacent to the Capitoline Museums. The reconstructed statue is located near the museum courtyard where the original fragments of Constantine’s massive feet, hands, and head stand as popular tourist attractions.
Reconstructed in its original form, the statue evokes a sense of wonder in its viewers below – just as Constantine initially intended for his subjects, officials stated during the unveiling.
“This statue embodies not only beauty but also the dominance of power,” remarked Salvatore Settis, an archaeologist and art historian affiliated with the Fondazione Prada, the cultural and educational branch of the Milan-based fashion house that funded the project.
Authorities did not disclose the cost of the undertaking, but the actual replica was produced by the Factum Foundation, a Madrid-based non-profit organization that develops high-resolution digital replicas of the world’s cultural heritage. “The primary mission of the Factum Foundation revolves around utilizing technology to redefine our understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage,” stated Adam Lowe, the foundation’s founder. The statue itself is crafted from resin, polyurethane, and marble powder for the body, while the gilded tunic draping it is composed of gold leaf and plaster. Another version of the statue will be placed in northeastern England, where Constantine oversaw the Hadrian’s Wall fortification before ascending to the position of emperor in Rome.
