Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The first statue found at Heraclea Sintica probably depicts the grandson of Emperor Octavian Augustus

Photo: BGNES

The first marble statue discovered in the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica on 3 July,  is probably of Lucius – grandson of Roman Emperor Octavian Augustus, announced Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski who is in charge of the excavations.

“There is no doubt the statue is from the beginning of the Common Era, that it is of a real historical figure with positions of power and that it was crafted after his death. It is deified as Hermes who carried the dead souls away,” said the archaeologist. The 2-metre statue was found in the grand canal of the forum in the ancient city, and is thought to have spent time close to running water before being hidden away there.

Restoring the second marble statue, discovered at the end of September not far from the location of the first statue, will reveal whether it depicts Lucius’ brother Gaius. The statue, which is over 2 metres tall, was created approximately 2,000 years ago, Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski explains.

All scientific arguments regarding who the unknown master depicted more than 20 centuries ago, will be expounded in an article to be published in Archaeologia Bulgarica magazine, Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski says further.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

General Major Nikolay Rusev

Bulgaria will seek a system for maximum protection against drones

We want to buy a system that has maximum protection against drones. This does not mean that it has a mechanical effect on the drone, but at least that it has some electromagnetic or blocking control of the device. This was explained to BNT by Maj. Gen...

published on 10/16/25 1:22 PM
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini with President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska

Slovak Ambassador summoned to Ministry of Foreign Affairs over statements made in Skopje

Slovak Ambassador Vasil Grivna was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over official statements made by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini during his visit to Skopje on October 14. There were unacceptable assessments made..

published on 10/16/25 10:40 AM

Vice President presents the most famous Chinese scholar of Bulgarian studies with an order

On behalf of the Head of State Rumen Radev, Vice President Iliana Iotova presented the Order of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, first degree, to Professor Ma Sipu, the press office of the president reported. The award was presented at..

published on 10/16/25 8:50 AM