A life-sized statue of a Roman emperor posing as the classical hero Hercules has been discovered during sewer repair works near the Appia Antica (Appian Way), ancient Rome's first highway.

An ancient statue of an individual dressed as Hercules was discovered during repairs to a sewer system in Rome, archaeologists said. The nearly intact marble sculpture was found in a 60-foot pit ...

An ancient statue of an individual dressed as Hercules was discovered during repairs to a sewer system in Rome, archaeologists said. The nearly intact marble sculpture was found in a 60-foot pit ...

Archaeologists discovered a 1,700-year-old 20-inch statue of Hercules in Florence, Italy. A student with a pickaxe discovered the miniature marble statue in three fragments.

The face of the statue, however, is not that of Hercules. Archaeologists compared it to surviving images of Emperor Decius, such as those shown on coins, and found that it resembles him.

Vatican Experts Unveil Centuries-Old Hercules Statue After Decades of Restoration Work The statue has been variously dated from the end of the first to the beginning of the third centuries. Even ...

Workers discovered this life-size marble Hercules statue buried in a sewer pipe beneath the Appian Way. Photo courtesy of the Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica, Rome.

The statue has been variously dated from the end of the first to the beginning of the third centuries — and a lightning strike helped ensure its preservation.

The statue has been variously dated from the end of the first to the beginning of the third centuries. Even in its day, the towering Hercules was treated with reverence.

Vatican Museum restorer Alice Baltera works on restoring the bronze Hercules statue, in the Round Hall of the Vatican Museums, Thursday, May 11, 2023. The statue has been variously dated from the ...