At 4.24 m tall, this towering ancient Roman statue of the emperor [Marcus Aurelius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius) dominates the gallery in the Capitoline Museum in which it stands. This bronze statue was likely commisioned and erected in the 2nd century AD either to commemorate Marcus Aurelius' victory over the Germanic tribes or his death.

See the museum entry [here](http://www.museicapitolini.org/en/percorsi/percorsi_per_sale/museo_del_palazzo_dei_conservatori/esedra_di_marco_aurelio/statua_equestre_di_marco_aurelio).

*Note:* Due to the height and location of the statue, it was not possible to photograph from above. As a result some detail on top of the statue is missing.

Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius from the equestrian statue in the Capitol, known before 1187. Roman, 170-180 AD Rome, Museo Capitolino. The Royal Cast collection (Copenhagen, Denmark). Made with Memento Beta (now ReMake) from AutoDesk.

Marcus Aurelius 26 April 121 – 17 March 180 AD) was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor from 161 until Verus' death in 169. Marcus Aurelius was the last of the so-called Five Good Emperors. 
During his reign, the Empire defeated a revitalized Parthian Empire in the East: Aurelius' general Avidius Cassius sacked the capital Ctesiphon in 164 AD. In central Europe, Aurelius fought the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatians with success during the Marcomannic Wars, although the threat of the Germanic tribes began to represent a troubling reality for the Empire. A revolt in the East led by Avidius Cassius failed to gain momentum and was suppressed immediately. (ref Wikipedia)

For more updates, please follow @GeoffreyMarchal on Twitter.

Marcus Aurelius

[United States Capitol dome (inside)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol_dome)

Constructed between 1855 and 1866 by design of Thomas U. Walter, the fourth Architect of the Capitol. 

3D from 41 shots during regular visit.
_____________________
[Cúpula del Capitolio de Estados Unidos (interior)](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotonda_del_Capitolio)

Construida entre 1855 y 1866 bajo diseño de Thomas U. Walter, cuarto arquitecto del Capitolio.

3D a partir de 41 imágenes tomadas durante la visita guiada.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/US_Capitol_dome_Jan_2006.jpg/800px-US_Capitol_dome_Jan_2006.jpg)

Capitol dome - Washington D.C.

Horseman at Maria-Theresia-Platz in Vienna. The sculptural masterpiece in marble was created by Theodor Friedl. The statue from 1892 shows a Germanic man trying to tame a rearing horse.

The motif of the horseman or horse tamers has often been depicted in sculpture. Examples from the Roman period are the Dioscuri on Capitol Square and the Dioscuri Fountain on Quirinal Square in Rome.

As you can see on the picture, the shooting was quite difficult because of the nearby tree. In the background the Natural History Museum. 
![](https://wien.noe-3d.at/SF/rossbaendiger.jpg)

Rossbändiger

The Capitoline wolf (ref 837),  Etruskisk 450 BC, in Rome in front of the Lateran before 1000, to the Capitol Hill since 1471 Rome, Palazzo Conservatori In. 1181, The Royal Cast Collection (Copenhagen, Denmark). Made with Memento Beta (now Remake) from Autodesk.

The Capitoline Wolf (Italian: Lupa Capitolina) is a bronze sculpture of a she-wolf suckling twin human infants, inspired by the legend of the founding of Rome. According to the legend, when Numitor, grandfather of the twins Romulus and Remus, was overthrown by his brother Amulius, the usurper ordered the twins to be cast into the Tiber River. They were rescued by a she-wolf who cared for them until a herdsman, Faustulus, found and raised them. The Capitoline Wolf has been housed since 1471 in the Palazzo dei Conservatori on the Campidoglio (the ancient Capitoline Hill), Rome, Italy. (Wikipedia)

The Capitoline wolf

Horse tamer on Maria-Theresien-Platz in Vienna: This impressive marble work was created in 1892 by the sculptor Theodor Friedl. It shows a Teuton trying to tame a rearing horse - a dynamic scene full of tension and expressiveness.

The theme of horse tamers has a long tradition in sculpture. It was already taken up many times during the Roman Empire, for example in the famous statues of the Dioscuri on Capitoline Square or the Dioscuri Fountain on Quirinal Square in Rome.

Standing Isis priest restored as priestess with jar. From Hadrian's villa in Tivoli. Roman 2nd century AD. The head, Greek (?), 2nd century BC. Rome, Museo Capitolino Inv. 735. The Royal Cast Collection (Copenhagen, Denmark). 

Made with Memento Beta (now ReMake) from AutoDesk.

For more updates, please follow @GeoffreyMarchal on Twitter.

Standing Isis priest

The central courtyard of the Capitoline Museum, Rome. It contains numerous statues and reliefs including the head, hand and foot of a colossal statue of Constantine.

Date: 15th Century?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitoline_Museums

987 photos taken in February 2026 with a Sony a7R V and processed in RealityScan.

Capitoline Museum Courtyard

Stone/marble sarcophagus showing Dionysian or Bacchic procession located in the Sale Dei Fasti Moderni, Capitoline Museums, Rome.

132 photos taken in February 2026 with a Sony a7R V and processed in RealityScan.

Bacchic Procession Sarcophagus

This model was generated using Meshy, an AI-powered 3D creation toolkit. Meshy helps creators turn ideas into high-quality 3D models with ease. View the original model and claim a free month of Pro on Meshy: [https://www.meshy.ai/s/yQUMFM](https://www.meshy.ai/s/yQUMFM)

Azure Dome Capitol

This model was generated using Meshy, an AI-powered 3D creation toolkit. Meshy helps creators turn ideas into high-quality 3D models with ease. View the original model and claim a free month of Pro on Meshy: [https://www.meshy.ai/s/Vdrx6P](https://www.meshy.ai/s/Vdrx6P)

Capitoline Wolf

?On September 24 2025, a provocative statue titled *Best Friends Forever* appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., depicting President Donald Trump and the late Jeffrey Epstein holding hands and dancing. Installed by the anonymous art collective “The Secret Handshake,” the bronze-painted figures stood on white pedestals near the Capitol, accompanied by a plaque celebrating their “long-standing bond” in honor of Friendship Month.
The statue sparked immediate controversy, blending satire with political critique. Though it had a temporary permit from the National Park Service, it was removed within 24 hours for violating permit terms. The installation reignited public discourse around Trump’s past ties to Epstein, drawing attention from media, officials, and passersby alike. Despite its brief presence, *Best Friends Forever* left a lasting impression on the intersection of art, politics, and public memory.
[Print your own statue with the ORIGINAL STL files](https://www.thesecrethandshake.com/thefiles)

Best Friends Forever - Trump and Epstein statue

Capitol Complex Chair

Glass Capitol Complex Table Thanks to Robert Restu Pambudi for the Golden Teak Wood Texture.

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