Rome 2017: (10) The Boxer at Rest

http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/musei/museo-nazionale-romano-palazzo-massimo

The Boxer At Rest is a cultural landscape that reveals the creativity and inspiration that Romans were capable of. It reveals that Romans revealed the human body and the strength and power that is possible to be attained through hard work and perseverance. The fact that this is one of the most revered sculptures, yet he is at rest created a new presupposition and interpretation of what the Romans value. Yes, the Romans uphold battle and victory within violence. However, the Romans, clearly, also valued and appreciated rest and the ability to reflect and relax after a successful victory. The face of the boxer is looking away; this was an intentional choice to show that the boxer

did not have only one purpose. In addition to being a boxer, he had the ability to pause and contemplate his place in the world, his successes and failures, and how Rome interacted with the natural world. This sculpture reveals how Romans viewed human nature and humans are not only creatures of habit, but also creatures of power and pensive thought. This cultural landscape gives a new glimpse into what was valued within the Roman mind, heart, and soul.