Marmora Phlegraea

The monograph examines the exceptional archaeological discovery of marble sculptures unearthed during the monumental excavations of the ancient Roman core beneath the Rione Terra in Pozzuoli. The volume provides a comprehensive analysis of both ideal and iconic statuary groups, alongside portraits of the Julio-Claudian imperial family preserved within the subterranean cryptoporticoes. The study highlights how these exquisite artifacts—executed primarily in Greek marble by highly skilled workshops working under distinct classicizing trends—reflect Puteoli's unique status as a primary port city and commercial hub of the Roman Empire. By integrating stylistic examination with contextual archaeological data, the research reconstructs the urban and monumental landscape of the Phlegraean colony, shedding new light on the reciprocal cultural dynamics and artistic interactions between local Campanian production and metropolitan Roman models during the early imperial age.