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Terrace
M. Nonius Balbus was built after the earthquake of 62 years. Local
proconsul politician M. Nonius Balbus gave part of his wealth to the
construction of a number of public buildings. He did not forget
about his family and built several statues dedicated to himself. So
even today we can look at the face of this famous person in the life
of Herculaneum.
Terrace of Marcus Nonius Balbus lies at the foot
of the gangway that leads to Cardo IV. Entrance (a) opens onto a
rectangular square that leads to Prigorodniy or Zagorodniy term (b)
in its eastern part.
The majestic statue of Marcus Nonius
Balbus dominates the terrace, along with a memorial altar, erected
in his honor. A native of Nuceria, M. Nony Balbus at different times
of his political career served as praetor and proconsul of the
provinces of Crete and Cyrene, and became the tribune (leader) of
the plebs (common people) in 32 BC. During the Civil War, he became
a friend and an ally of Octavian, better known as Augustus.
Marcus Nonius Balbus was the main benefactor of the city of
Herculaneum and gave a large amount of money for the repair of the
city and the construction of a large number of public and religious
buildings. After his death, he was made the patron saint of
Herculaneum and was revered by the citizens. An inscription has been
preserved on its funeral altar.
The inscription reads:
“Based on the proposal of Mark Ophilius Celer, twice duumvir, the
dignity of the city requires recognition of the merits of Marcus
Nonius Balbus, the City Council decided as follows:
In view of
the fact that Marcus Nonius Balbus, while living here showed
parental care and extraordinary generosity to individuals and the
public of the city, the council decided that an equestrian statue
would be erected in his honor at the expense of the state in the
most visited place with the inscription:
"To Marcus Nonius
Balbus, praetor, proconsul, patron, (of) the whole Council, the
people of Herculaneum in recognition of his merits."
In
addition, in the place where his ashes lie laid a marble altar. It
must be made, erected, and publicly written words:
"Marcus Nonius
Balbus to the son of Marcus"
and that the procession of
parenterals should start from this place, sports games one day
should be dedicated in his honor, and on the occasion of the
performance in the theater, the seat should be reserved for him.
It is resolved.
An equestrian statue (pictured right) was
installed in front of the Basilica of Nonius and was rediscovered
during excavations of Bourbon. Today she can be seen at the National
Archaeological Museum in Naples. In ancient times, the statues were
painted brightly and brightly. Therefore, our modern statues would
appear to them faded and gray. Unfortunately, the paint of this
statue was not preserved, but most likely it was painted in natural
tones.
The statue of a famous politician on the terrace
itself stands on a marble foundation in front of the altar. It was
erected by his freed slave Nonius Volusian. The statue was
significantly damaged by the eruption. A volcanic wave demolished
the statue from its pedestal. It was partially restored after
discovery. The head of the proconsul was found during excavations
led by Maiuiri while a significant part of the torso was restored in
1981.