from Minturno, Italy Statue of Trajan, end of the 1st century-beginning of the 2nd century CE marble The National Archaeological Museum of Naples, 6072 2026.16 Wearing military dress, Trajan appears as an authoritative commander of the Roman army. His cuirass, or breastplate, features both decorative and allegorical elements. Minerva (Greek: Athena), goddess of wisdom and warfare, poses at the center in a fighting stance. A statuette in her hand recalls Roma, the divine personification of Rome. Nearly seven feet tall and weighing over 2,500 pounds, this imposing image was Trajan’s official portrait type for the first decade of his reign. The head is not original to the statue but was added during restorations in the 18th century.