10 - Realia, Rituals and Symbols of the Torlonia Relief

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Although the famous Torlonia relief from Portus Traiani Felicis has prompted much scholarship, interpretations differ. Several aspects have not been interpreted satisfactorily. This paper intends to be a critical update. It pays attention to the date, the historical background, the topographical, ritual and symbolic elements, and the significance of the whole representation. The relief is made of Greek marble and measures 1.24 x 0.75 m. It is preserved in Museo Torlonia (inv. 430) at Rome. It was found during an excavation on the north-east side of Trajan's hexagonal port, to the north of Casino/Villa Torlonia in December 1863 or January 1864 (Fig. 10.1, no. 10; Gismondi 1935). It probably originates from the Temple of Liber Pater Commodianus (Dionysus/ Bacchus) that was built between AD 185 and 190. This was a round, Corinthian, peripteral temple, probably with a dome (Meiggs 1973, pl. XVIIIb), standing on a high square podium, situated between two long rectangular storehouses, opposite the channel of communication between the Claudian Portus Augusti (AD 54-64) and the Portus Traiani, constructed in AD 106-114 (Keay et al. 2005, 50-51 Fig. 3.5; 280 Fig. 8.4; 283; 310-311; 313-314). Nothing remains of it. A statue of Liber, now lost, was found near the temple in the sixteenth century (Testaguzza 1970, 186). Greek and Latin inscriptions from Portus mention Dionysos, Liber Pater and deus Liber (Ross Taylor 1985, 27-31).

DESCRIPTION

The relief represents two merchantmen and two small boats, two personifications, Neptune and Dionysus, a lighthouse with a statue, an arch with an elephant quadriga, three semi-nude women, and a symbolic eye (Figs 10.2-10.3).

The relief has a slightly central perspective, as shown by the right side of the lighthouse and the left side of the pedestal to the right of it. It shows several disproportions. Parts of the relief are missing.

The ship on the right, partly hidden by Neptune, has arrived and is bound to a mooring block that is similar to those in Portus Augusti and Portus Traiani (Testaguzza 1970, 104, 166, 170). Five men are furling the mainsail, at least one of whom is nude. The relief on the prow shows the frontal bust of Dionysus.