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Emperor (Maxentius') scepters found in Rome
June 22nd, 2006
Some catastrophic event forced someone to hide them and another similar event didn't allow to get them once
possible.
The box was located in a hole under a staircase aside to the Via Sacra, by the team from La Sapienza
University leaded by Clementina Panella the expert of the ground in front of the Colosseo that in 2003 brought
to the light the Meta Sudans of Augustus.
Experts said are striking for their completeness, in fact digs usually turn up
only fragments, and the fact that they are the only known artifacts of their kind.
The scepters and all other equipment found are dated early IV century AD, and it is thought they belong to Emperor Maxentius.
They were probably hidden to be preserved from the enemy, in that case Constantine, that was approaching the city of Rome.
Some of the objects, which accompanied the emperor during his public appearances, are believed to be the base for the emperor's standards,
rectangular or triangular flags (vexillum), officials said.
All the objects are now under restoration and it will be displayed in one of the national museums in Rome.
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