A series of tweets by the Classical Association of Northern Ireland drew my attention to a curiosity about Theodosius the Great, and his two sons Arcadius and Honorius.
Let’s look first at the disk of Theodosius:
Note how long the face of Theodosius is. He was only 48 when he died. Next, a statue of Arcadius, who came to the throne aged 18.
Again note the very long face. And finally Honorius, who was only 8 when he came to the throne.
He, by contrast, has a square face – and the first image shows it too. Chubby, even.
It’s interesting how these figures, who are little more than names to most of us, acquire personality once we can see their portraits.
Honorius must have taken after his mom.
Yup, Aelia Flaccilla had a lil’ bitty face with big cheeks.
Presumably so. It certainly helps to distinguish them, doesn’t it.