Dying Gaul

The Dying Gaul in the Capitoline Museums, Rome: a Roman marble copy of one of the Hellenistic bronzes King Attalos I set up at Pergamon after defeating the Gauls. For a victory monument it is strikingly sympathetic. A wounded warrior props himself on one arm, head bowed, losing strength, and the twisted torque around his neck and his mustache mark him as a Gaul. It was long called a gladiator. Look at the supporting arm, the only thing still holding him up.