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Warrior of Capestrano
Ercole Curino
Heracles Epitrapezios
A statue of a civilian from Foruli
Statue of discophorus with head portrayed by Foruli
Statue of a character of military rank from Foruli
Zeus
Portrait by Alba Fucens
Male portrait by Alba Fucens
Osiris standing mummiform
Three-disc cuirass
Bronze fibula
Campovalano boots
Cooking pan
Be
Ring
Tables patronage di Amiternum
Bronze macaw
in Antef (n. 2)
in Antef (n. 1)
Face
Without title
Warrior of Capestrano
Ercole Curino
Heracles Epitrapezios
A statue of a civilian from Foruli
Statue of discophorus with head portrayed by Foruli
Statue of a character of military rank from Foruli
Zeus
Portrait by Alba Fucens
Male portrait by Alba Fucens
Osiris standing mummiform
Three-disc cuirass
Bronze fibula
Campovalano boots
Cooking pan
Be
Ring
Tables patronage di Amiternum
Bronze macaw
in Antef (n. 2)
in Antef (n. 1)
Face
Without title

Warrior of Capestrano

Anonymous

Displayed in:

MANDA - National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo - Villa Frigerj

MANDA - National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo - Villa Frigerj

Via Guido Costanzi, 3 (Museo d'Abbruzzo), Chieti

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The famous statue was found by chance during agricultural works in Capestrano in 1934 . The exceptional discovery started a series of archaeological investigations that led to the identification of other sculptural fragments, such as the female bust now known as the " Lady of Capestrano ", another male bust, later auctioned and purchased for a private collection, and two lithic bases, as well as 33 tombs.
The proximity of the fragments to tomb 3 , a pit, with its rich and partly dispersed grave goods and the peculiar orientation of this burial with respect to the others, has led to the hypothesis that the tomb could belong to a high-ranking figure, which was enclosed by a mound or from a circle of stones and that the statues had the function of decorating the burial. The sculptural characteristics of the Warrior and the Lady lead us to consider them not only as works produced on commission by the same artist but also as part of a single sculptural group depicting characters from the same family nucleus that owns the tomb.
The statue, exceptionally preserved in its entirety and with visible traces of coloring, is made of local limestone and represents a standing male figure, with feet resting on a lithic base and framed laterally by two pillars up to shoulder height. The Warrior wears a tòrque around his neck, armilles, a miter supported by a belt tightened along the hips, to protect the belly, and finally shoes. The pre-eminent social role is highlighted by the detailed depiction of defense and offensive weapons and symbols of power. Defense weapons include the large, broad-brimmed parade helmet with a crest of feathers, and armor discs worn on the chest and back. Between the folded arms, one on the chest and the other on the waist, there are the offensive weapons: the long sword, known as the “Capestrano” type and a knife that was used to keep the edge of the sword sharp. The handles of both weapons are decorated with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic friezes. Weapons of offense are also the spears with the point pointing up depicted on the side pillars. The ax held with the right hand could recall the religious and power functions prerogative of the leaders.
The statue also has an epigraph , vertically engraved on one of the pillars, inside a red band. The text identifies the character as Nevio Pomp (uled) i , most likely qualifying him as king. According to the technical, stylistic and epigraphic characteristics it is possible to date the Capestrano warrior to the first half of the 6th century BC.
The good preservation of the red color of the Warrior and the Lady suggests that the statues were not exposed to the elements for long and that the fractures and gaps in the lower area of the monument are attributable to an intentional act of destruction to operate a sort of damnatio memoriae .
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Details

Title: Warrior of Capestrano

Author: Anonymous

Date: VI century BC

Technique: Funerary stele

Displayed in: MANDA - National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo - Villa Frigerj

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