Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs, Roman sculpture at St Mark's Basilica, Venice, Italy
This sculpture shows four imperial figures carved from purple porphyry stone on the outer wall of the basilica. Each figure reaches 130 centimeters in height, and all four stand together in two embracing pairs.
The work was created around the year 300 in Constantinople during the reign of Diocletian. Venetian forces brought the sculpture to their city in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade.
The four rulers wear identical clothing and military equipment, showing the equal status under the tetrarchy system. Each pair embraces while both hands rest on sword hilts – a gesture expressing both unity and constant readiness for defense.
The sculpture stands on the outer corner of the basilica facing the bell tower and remains clearly visible from the Piazzetta. You can view it anytime from the square without entering the church.
Excavations in Istanbul during the 1960s uncovered a missing foot from one of the figures. This discovery proved the Constantinople origin and settled the debate about the original location.
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