ALMOST TWO THOUSAND YEAR OLD ROMAN STATUE INCREDIBLY DISCOVERED IN NEARLY PERFECT CONDITION

What kind of legacy would you like to leave behind? While many people select their gravestone, others leave it up to their surviving family. This enormous conundrum has existed for ages. The planning of their burial and memorialisation took a great deal of time for the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and others. Ancient tombstones and stele make up a significant portion of the archaeological record, especially in areas that were formerly under Roman rule. One of the people who created their legacy was a man who lived in the ancient city of Odessos, and modern-day Bulgaria is one of these places. Recently, a remarkably well-preserved example of a Roman citizen was found.

During an excavation of a building site in Varna, Bulgaria, the statue was discovered. It is made of white marble and is slightly larger than life. It was carved in the late second or early third century CE, according to researchers. Only its right arm and nose have been lost to the passage of time, making it remarkably intact for its age.

The figure is holding a scroll and is dressed in a draped toga. He has short curls that are realistically carved. He stands on a plinth with his sandalled feet. A Greek phrase is inscribed on the front of the plinth. Odessos maintained its Greek language even though it was a Roman city.

"Gaius Marius Hermogenes erected this statue for himself during his lifetime," the inscription states. Gaius was probably a well-known local from this empire outpost. Interestingly, the statue was mentioned as having been built during his lifetime because it most likely was (or was) a component of his tomb.