CHAP. 10. (5.)—THE DIFFERENT KINDS AND FORMS OF STATUES. STATUES AT ROME WITH CUIRASSES.
In former times the statues that were thus dedicated were clad in the toga.1263 Naked statues also, brandishing a spear, after the manner of the youths at their gymnastic exercises, were much admired; these were called “Achillean.” The Greek practice is, not to cover any part of the body; while, on the contrary, the Roman and the military statues have the addition of a cuirass. Cæsar, the Dictator, permitted a statue with a cuirass to be erected in honour of him in his Forum.1264 As to the statues which are made in the garb of the Luperci,1265 they are of no older date than those which have been lately erected, covered with a cloak.1266 Mancinus gave directions, that he should be represented in the dress which he wore when he was surrendered to the enemy.1267 It has been remarked by some authors, that L. Attius,1268 the poet, had a statue of himself erected in the Temple of the Muses,1269 which was extremely large, although he himself was very short.
Equestrian statues are also held in esteem in Rome; but they are of Greek origin, no doubt. Among the Greeks, those persons only were honoured with equestrian statues who were victors on horseback1270 in the sacred games; though afterwards the same distinction was bestowed on those who were successful in the races with chariots with two or four horses: hence the use of chariots with us in the statues of those who have triumphed. But this did not take place until a late period; and it was not until the time of the late Emperor Augustus, that we had chariots represented with six horses,1271 as also with elephants.