The story of the Bubon bronzes, though, is more than just a tale of looters’ remorse, investigative zeal, art market intrigue and antiquities repatriation.
It’s also a lesson in history, one that presents a more nuanced view of ancient Rome than that popularized by Hollywood epics.
Rome allowed a measure of self-government and promoted the promise of citizenship as potent tools to keep the peace.
And there was often local buy-in, evident in the shrines built by invaded peoples to show respect for their conquerors.
The Bubon bronzes, instead, remained underground, intact, for almost 2,000 years.
Persons:
It’s, Severus, Trajan, Augustus, Roman
Organizations:
Hollywood
Locations:
Rome, Libya, Spain, Bubon, Asia