Portait of a Veiled Man

We do not know the identity of the man represented in this portrait: he was a private citizen, likely a prominent figure in the city of Amiternum. He is shown veiled, with short, sparse hair framing a high forehead. He has deep wrinkles, and his slightly raised eyebrows frame large, protruding eyes surrounded by thin eyelids. The upper lip is barely defined, while the lower lip is rather full and features a dimple underneath. The neck was likely designed to fit into a bust, which has not been found.
Some details appear similar to portraits of Vespasian. For this reason, it is plausible that the portrait was made in the last three decades of the 1st century A.D.
This head was also recovered during the 2014 investigations in the theatre area, specifically in a basin identified behind the theatre. The proximity of the area to the theatre, and the fact that portraits of private individuals are often attested in buildings for public performances, may suggest that the head was part of the theatre’s decoration. However, a large public building was also identified opposite the basin, and it is equally plausible that the object originated from there.