Eagle at foot of emperor Claudius | Photo: Emperors of Rome
A detail from a Roman sculpture showing an eagle staring at emperor Claudius (reigned 41-54 CE). The entire monument was intended to show the emperor as Jupiter – god of gods.
Entire object was found in Lanuvium (near Rome to the south-east). The emperor was shown with a crown of oak leaves (the oak was the sacred tree of Jupiter) on his head, a scepter in his left hand and an eagle at his feet – the sacred bird of the Romans. The platter was reconstructed in his right hand, but Claudius was probably holding a lightning bolt.
Sculpture of the Emperor Claudius
