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Monumentum

Aion of Arles

The Aion of Arles includes nine signs of the zodiac in three groups of three, between the spirals of the serpent.
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TNMM 148 ↔ CIMRM 879

Damaged whit marble statue. Musée lapidaire, Arles. Found in 1598.

Dressed torso of a standing Aion, whose head and legs got lost. The two hands, which he presses against his breast and in which he probably held a key, are broken off. A serpent, winding itself in three coils round the god's body, rests its head on the god's breast. Between these coils in groups of three, the nine signs of Zodiac have been represented in a graceful way.

Above from the left to the right: Aries-Taurus-Gemini embracing each other, the first of whom has a sceptre in the upraised r.h. and the other holds with his I.h. a lyre, resting on a base.

In the centre: Cancer-Leo and Virgo in a long cloak, which covers the head. Further a youth with Libra-Scorpio-Centaurus.

The three other signs Capricomus-Aquarius and Pisces got lost.

Statue d'Aiôn by Musée départemental Arles antique on Sketchfab


Above from the left to the right: Aries-Taurus-Gemini embracing each other, the first of whom has a sceptre in the upraised r.h. and the other holds with his l.h. a lyre, resting on a base.

In the centre : Cancer-Leo and Virgo in a long cloak, which covers the head. Further a youth with Libra-Scorpio-Centaurus.

The three other signs Capricornus-Aquarius and Pisces got lost.

References

Rebatu, Ant. ArIes, 78; Montfaucon, Ant. Expl. I (2), PI. CCXV, 3; Pownall, Ant. Gaul., 75, 96; Millin, Voyage Midi, III 503ff and Atlas, PI. XXXVI,S; Dumont, Descr. Arles = Noble de Lalauziere, A brege, PI. III; de Laborde, Mon. France, I, 80 and PI. LXIX; Jollois-Devilliers, Reck. astr., PI. B; Zoega, Abk., 204, 7; Villeneuve-Bargemont, Stat., II, 439 and PI. XXIV; Seel, 230 and PI. VII, c; Trichaud, Itin. Arles, 36; Clair, Mon. Arles, 216f; Cond., 205; Jouffroy-Breton, Intr. kist. France, 103f and PI. 7; Jacquemin, Guide Arles, 299f; Cicerone, Arl., 30; Lajard, Mem. Vienne, PI. I; Reck., 211 No.2 and Intr., Pl. LXXVIII,2; Estrangin, Descr. Arles, 67f, 200 No.7; Et. Arck. Arles, 120 and 380 n. XV; Thiele, Himmelsbilder, 68; Bazin, Arles, 134f No. 5; MMM II 403f ~o. 281 and fig. 325; Gilles, Pays d'Arles, 102; Gonse, Mus. France, II, 69 and fig., RRS II 477, 6; Eisler, Weltenmantel, II, 439 fig. 54; Esp. Rec. Gaule, I, 120f No. 142 with fig., Constans, Arles, 78; Arles Ant., 123 n. 1 quotes a copy of a letter of Amat de Graveson to Flechier, eveque de Nimes, in the Library in Carpentras ms. 609, 294-298. See fig. 227.

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