--- title: Marble Head of Titus Flavius Orestes author: Nathalie Choubineh source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20056/marble-head-of-titus-flavius-orestes/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2025-02-24 --- # Marble Head of Titus Flavius Orestes _Authored by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/)_ ## Image File [![Marble Head of Titus Flavius Orestes](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20056.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20056.jpg) ## Image Caption Marble head of [Titus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Titus/) Flavius Orestes, from [Herakleia Lynkestis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Herakleia_Lynkestis/), near Bitola, North Macedonia, c. 1st-2nd century CE. Archaeological Museum of Heraclea, Bitola. The marble head was located in the colonnaded courthouse near the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)'s forum, both of which are features of [Roman architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Architecture/) introduced to [Herakleia](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Herakleia/) Lynkestis as part of construction projects in the newly established province of Macedonia Prima. Notably, this sculpted head is accompanied by an inscription on its pedestal, which provides additional context. It reads: > The city \[raises a monument to\] Titus Flavius Orestes - twice a high priest and a benefactor for the love of this city upon the proposal of [Gaius Marius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gaius_Marius/) Blossian Trason while [Marius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gaius_Marius/) [Claudius](https://www.worldhistory.org/claudius/) Pulcher was a *polytarch* (city official). Titus Flavius Orestes was a highly esteemed [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) magistrate and high priest in the early 2nd century CE. However, he is often mistakenly associated with the father of the [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) [Romulus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Romulus_and_Remus/) Augustulus, who lived a few [hundred years](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Hundred_Years/) later. Marius Claudius Pulcher (c. 60 to after 31 BCE) was a nobleman connected to two of the Roman *triumviri*, [Mark Antony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mark_Antony/) and [Octavian](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/), who later became Emperor [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/). As a young man, Marius Claudius Pulcher held the title of *[praetor](https://www.worldhistory.org/praetor/)* (provincial governor) and was also a member of the augurs, who were religious leaders in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). His namesake *polytarch* of Herakleia Lynkestis when the statue of Titus Flavius was erected may well have been a member of the same family or even a direct descendent of the Roman priest-praetor appointed to govern the Macedonian province of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/). #### Editorial Review This human-authored image 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 - Anica Gjorgjievska, Engin Nasuh. *Heraclea Lyncestis.* Skopje, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia, 2015 ## About the Author Nathalie is a translator and independent researcher of dance in the ancient world with a focus on Ancient Greece and the Near East. She has published works in ancient dance, ethnomusicology, and literature. She loves learning and sharing knowledge. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.choubineh/) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-choubineh-035a8451/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Choubineh, N. (2025, February 24). Marble Head of Titus Flavius Orestes. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Choubineh, Nathalie. "Marble Head of Titus Flavius Orestes." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 24, 2025. . ### MLA Choubineh, Nathalie. "Marble Head of Titus Flavius Orestes." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Feb 2025, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/ "User Page: Nathalie Choubineh"), published on 24 February 2025. 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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