By ARIEL DAVID
Associated Press Writer
Guardia di Finanza, HO
Combo of photos released by the Italian Guardia di Finanza police of a rare statue depicting the Roman Emperor Lucius Verus, at left, recovered among more than a dozen looted ancient artifacts hidden in a boat house near Rome, in an operation announced Friday April 11, 2008. Experts consider Lucius Verus' head a rare find of great scholarly value. The emperor was a shy figure overshadowed by his adoptive brother and co-ruler Marcus Aurelius, and because of his desire to stay out of the limelight, there are only four other known portraits of him. In a separate operation, Italian police recovered a marble head depicting Faustina, right, the wife of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, the predecessor and adoptive father of Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius.
Italian police have recovered a rare statue of a Roman emperor who co-ruled alongside Marcus Aurelius and was known for his reluctance to sit for portraits.
Police said Friday that the marble head of Lucius Verus was the most spectacular find among more than a dozen looted ancient artifacts hidden in a boat garage near Rome.
The bearded visage of Lucius Verus is believed to have been secretly unearthed at a site in the Naples area and was probably destined for the international market, said Capt. Massimo Rossi of a special police unit that hunts down archaeological thieves.
Experts consider Lucius Verus' head a find of great scholarly value. Because of his desire to stay out of the limelight, there are only four other known portraits of him, Rossi said.
Lucius Verus co-ruled Rome from 161 until his death in 169 alongside the more powerful Marcus Aurelius, his adoptive brother.