Trascrizione
In 1885 the archaeologist Rodolfo Lanciani described with amazement his first encounter with the boxer, discovered in Rome’s Via IV Novembre, unearthed in the foundations of the old San Silvestro al Quirinale convent, once the Baths of Constantine.
Lanciani wrote:
“In my long career in the busy field of archaeology, I have witnessed many discoveries; I have experienced one surprise after another; I have sometimes, and mostly unexpectedly, encountered real masterpieces. But I have never experienced the admiration I felt when I laid eyes on this magnificent specimen of a semi-barbaric athlete, slowly emerging from the ground as if he were awaking from a long sleep after his valiant fights.”