“Columna Cochlis M. Aurelio Antonio Augusto.
Augusto dicata eius rebus gestis in Germanica, atque Sarmatica expeditione insignis, ex S.C. Romae ad viam Flaminiam erecta : iterum in lucem prodit”,
or in German:
“The Cochlis Column, dedicated to M. Aurelius Antonius Augustus, decorated for his achievements in the German and Sarmatian expeditions, erected by S.C. in Rome on the way from Flaminia, again led into the light”.
The large format picture book from a bygone era is an approximately 50 page bundle of copper engravings and depicts the march of the Romans to Germania. The book has no chapters, but the large illustrations at the beginning and at the end are striking. Especially the illustration where Aurelius is depicted with an angel is, in my opinion, remarkable. In the early 18th century, when this book was reprinted, only rich people could afford such a volume. These people are addressed. The author/artist Giovanni Pietro Bellori dealt with Ancient Rome, as well as the importance of nature in our time. In addition, he tried to represent an ideal of beauty in his paintings. This is noticeable when looking at the book. Because Marcus Aurelius with his followers are the noble men who go against the “barbarian” Germans and advance civilization. Walls are built, bridges are erected.
My interpretation of what Bellori’s intention was is that one goes back to the old values.
20-150-686