Tutela de Vieux-la-Romaine
This aristocratic urban dwelling was almost entirely excavated and yielded significant archaeological material, now preserved in the Musée archéologique de Vieux-la-Romaine.
This unique piece of history allows us to reconstruct the environment of a wealthy aristocratic family who undoubtedly exercised political responsibilities in this Roman city, underscoring its profound historical and cultural significance.
The figurine was unearthed at the archaeological site of Vieux-la-Romaine, 10 km southwest of Caen,[1] in a 1st-century structure destroyed by fire in the 3rd century.
[4] The archaeological layer[5] in which the remains were discovered corresponds to the fire that ravaged the house at the end of the 3rd century.
[6] In 1580, the Thorigny marble, a significant Roman inscription, was unearthed and transported to Château Matignon in Torigni-sur-Vire, where it is currently on display.
The site's identification dates back to the late 17th century,[7] which adds an intriguing dimension to this historical discovery.
The "Maison au grand péristyle" is the most luxurious building excavated on the Vieux archaeological site.
[2] A fire related to artisanal activities[14] damaged the building and was subsequently crossed by the Cardo Q[14] road,[15] constructed around 330-340.
The materials were widely salvaged, and a homogeneous demolition layer is present[16]—this destruction phase dates from the end of the 4th to the beginning of the 5th century.
[17] The statue, crafted from local limestone and Caen stone, has an initial height of 1 m to 1.10 m.[18] It portrays a young woman,[15][10] and more than half of the work is missing.
Nevertheless, the potential for reconstruction, based on known equivalent statues,[19] highlights its historical significance and the esteem in which it is held.
The female figure, clothed in a tunic and cloak, grasps a cornucopia in her left hand and a coat hook in her right.
[5] The statue is adorned with a crown featuring turrets and represents a triumphal arch or city gate[20] on the front.
[24] The excavations yielded six components: the head, the left hand, the base, an unidentified fragment, a crown with towers, and a fragmentary cornucopia.
[6] The young woman's hair, styled in two buns[15] at the ends, is a hallmark of the Antonine fashion, particularly associated with Faustina the Younger, Bruttia Crispina,[15] or Lucilla, wife of Lucius Verus.
[26] The divinity of Vieux is more closely aligned with the portrayal of Faustina II, executed around 160-170,[27] adding a significant historical context to our findings.
[15][23] The left hand, measuring 14 centimeters in length, features a prominent ring on the little finger and is seen holding a cornucopia.
The piece features grape cluster motifs, a vine leaf, apples, fig leaves, and a pine cone at the top.
[35] The likelihood of identifying the statue with Tutela, a goddess with a prominent public profile,[11] is exceptionally high, even considering the town of Aregenua.
[36] In light of the statue's urban context,[27] Pascal Vipard proposes that it may be identified with Fortuna Tyché, Genius Loci, or Tutela.
[10] According to Pascal Vipard,[10] the statue, which features a tower and a cornucopia, would be an urban representation of Fortuna and should be named Aregenua.
[24] The owners employed an architectural and decorative style typical of public and private edifices, utilizing ornamentation to project their political influence or lineage.
[37] The statue's presence in the house indicates that the space had a public function,[38] which supports the idea that the decor was "officialized.
