Monument of Aemilius Paullus

The Monument of Aemilius Paullus is a marble column rising to about 9 meters that stands within the Delphi archaeological site. Its base features carved relief panels showing battle scenes and the arrangement of soldiers in formation.

The column was built in 167 BCE initially to honor King Perseus before being rededicated after Aemilius Paullus defeated the Macedonians at Pydna. This shift marked the transfer of power from Macedonia to Rome in the region.

The monument blends Roman and Greek artistic styles through its carved relief panels at the base. These scenes show soldiers in different poses and equipment, giving visitors a window into how people fought and dressed during that era.

The monument stands near the Temple of Apollo and is accessible during the standard opening hours of the archaeological site. The base with its inscriptions and relief panels can be viewed closely and offers good detail for photographs.

A bronze equestrian statue once crowned the top of the column, and marks in the marble base suggest the horse was shown rearing, a rare pose for that era. This backward-leaning stance was an unusual artistic choice at the time.

Location: Delfi Municipality

GPS coordinates: 38.48238,22.50166

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:03