--- title: The Meroe Head author: Joshua J. Mark source: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/186/the-meroe-head/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # The Meroe Head _Authored by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/)_ The [Meroe](https://www.worldhistory.org/Meroe/) Head, so-called because it was found beneath a [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) in the ruins of Meroe, is the head of a larger-than life statue of Gaius [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) (better known as Augustus [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/)) the first Emperor of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) (reigned 31 BCE-14 CE). On 2 September 31 BCE [Octavian](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) Caesar (the future Augustus) defeated [Mark Antony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mark_Antony/) and [Cleopatra VII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cleopatra_VII/) of [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) at the [Battle of Actium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Actium/) and claimed Egypt as a [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) province. Following his victory, Octavian pursued the scattered armies (many of whom defected to Octavian's side) until the decisive defeat of [Antony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mark_Antony/) and [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) at [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/) in August of 30 BCE, after which they killed themselves. Octavian, now supreme ruler of Rome, ordered building projects to begin in his new province of Egypt. Soon after, the [Roman Senate](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Senate/) awarded him the title `Augustus' (“Illustrious One”) in 27 BCE and statues of Augustus Caesar were erected across Egypt as constant reminders of the power and reach of Rome. [ ![The Meroe Head of Augustus Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/286.jpg?v=1618656316) The Meroe Head of Augustus Caesar Udimu (28-05-2007) (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/286/the-meroe-head-of-augustus-caesar/ "The Meroe Head of Augustus Caesar")In 25 BCE the Roman Governor in Egypt, General Aelius Publius Petronius, responding to provocation by Nubian forces to the north, attacked and sacked the Nubian [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Napata. In retaliation, the Nubians invaded Egypt and looted many of the statues (among other things) from the [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) towns near the first cataract of the [Nile](https://www.worldhistory.org/nile/) at Aswan. It is certain that the Meroe Head was once a part of one of these statues as described by the historian Strabo. Roman forces reclaimed many of the statues intact and others were returned following the peace treaty signed in 22 BCE between Rome and the Nubian capital of Meroe (which, interestingly, was uniquely generous to Meroe, favoring the Nubian city's interests above those of Rome and leading to the construction of the Temple of Dendur in lower Nubia, where frecoes depicted Augustus paying homage to the Nubian [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/)-brothers Pahor and Pedese) but the Meroe Head had been buried beneath the steps of a temple (perhaps deliberately, it is thought, so that the head of the Emperor would be ever beneath the feet of the citizens of Meroe) and was not discovered until excavations in Meroe by Professor John Garstang uncovered it in 1910. The Meroe head measures 46.6 cm in height, 26.5 cm in width and 29.4 cm in depth and is made of [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) with alabaster, glass and coral inlays for the eyes, which are very expressive. The statue was most likely made by a [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) artist or, at least, was influenced by the classical Greek ideal in rendering human figures in [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/). Many writers, following Garstang's original description, have noted a “calm distant gaze” to the eyes which would have given the statue an aura of confidence and strength. Today the Meroe Head is a part of the collection of the British Museum. #### Editorial Review This human-authored article has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [http://www.artfund.org/artwork/107/head-of-augustus-emperor-of-rome-the](http://www.artfund.org/artwork/107/head-of-augustus-emperor-of-rome-the "http://www.artfund.org/artwork/107/head-of-augustus-emperor-of-rome-the"), accessed 24 Jan 2017. - [http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight\_objects/gr/b/head\_of\_augustus.aspx](http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/b/head_of_augustus.aspx "http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/b/head_of_augustus.aspx"), accessed 24 Jan 2017. - [http://wysinger.homestead.com/amanirenas.html](http://wysinger.homestead.com/amanirenas.html "http://wysinger.homestead.com/amanirenas.html"), accessed 24 Jan 2017. ## About the Author Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-j-mark/38/614/339) ## Cite This Work ### APA Mark, J. J. (2012, January 18). The Meroe Head. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Mark, Joshua J.. "The Meroe Head." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 18, 2012. . ### MLA Mark, Joshua J.. "The Meroe Head." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Jan 2012, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 18 January 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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