Opus Fidiae, Opus Praxitelis (CIL VI.2, 10038) Considerazioni sui due Dioscuri del Quirinale (Mons Caballus) a Roma

Abstract

This article focuses the Dioscuri of Mt. Quirinal at Rome: they are endowed with late antique inscriptions which declare
them works respectively of Pheidias and Praxiteles. A detailed description of these two figures leads to the conclusion that the
Dioscurus with the Pheidias label derives from a creation of the Parthenon times, while the second Dioscurus bears also features
which are typical of the late classical period. The other examples of similar labels of the early AD 5th c. are duly considered. All
the testimonia of this period which concern ancient masters are cited and reveal that the learned elites of the time, both pagans and
Christians, were still interested to classical Greek masters and were aware of the main features of the most important masters.
Finally, the late antique topographical context of these statues is considered, the other surviving statues which decorated this area
of Rome are indicated. The conclusion is that the two Dioscuri derive from a group began by Phidias and completed by Praxiteles.

KEYWORDS : Phidias, Praxiteles, Dioscuri, Quirinal, Baths of Constantine