The Capestrano Warrior
Two metres tall, 135 centimetres broad shoulders, a huge hat and fully armed, the Capestrano Warrior exudes a powerful fascination. It is exhibited in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale d'Abruzzo in Chieti in a space created by Mimmo Paladino in a very impressive way.
The statue, which dates back to the 6th se. A. C., represents a male figure in military clothing and is carved from a single block of stone. It was found quite by chance in 1934 by a farmer who was tilling his land in Capestrano.
It was immediately clear that it was the funerary statue of a warrior prince placed on top of the earthen mound that surmounted the tomb, while on other aspects scholars are still debating today.
On the features of the face there are diverging interpretations: for some it is a funerary mask, others speak of stylised features.
Even on the inscription engraved on the left pillar supporting the statue there is no uniformity of opinion. It consists of a vertical line that should be read from below and has sparked endless disputes. The most accredited version reads: 'me beautiful image made by Anini for King Nevius Pompuledio'.
And so the name of the prince is revealed, but also that of the artist to whom we owe this magnificent work.
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