ROMAN MUSICIAN

This figure is from the later phase of the sculptures at Osuna in Spain, actually 1st century BC, but an Etruscan relief of the 2nd century shows very similar musicians. Though from Spain he is identified by his Italian greaves as both Roman and military. The original carries no sword. Note he does not wear the animal-skin headgear of Imperial musicians and standard bearers; though the resemblance of these to the velites’ wolfskins suggests they might have an early origin, they do not yet seem to be in use. The curved trumpet is a bronze cornu.