The creation and dissemination of roman imperial portrait types: The case of Marcus Aurelius type IV

The article examines the fourth and final portrait type of Marcus Aurelius. A date of A.D. 166 for its origin, in conjunction with the Parthian triumph of that year, is proposed based on numismatic evidence. The study\u27s primary aim is to identify and examine those factors, both outside and within the artistic community, which influenced the creation and dissemination of Type IV and thus perhaps Roman portrait types in general. Type IV is shown to have quickly evolved from an initial prototype into three distinct replica series, with further subdivisions based on the addition of features of old age. Dissemination of the type appears to have experienced an initial delay, probably due to the Antonine plague. Although geographically widespread, the type is limited in number, which suggests that artists, especially those in the provinces, were prone to continue producing the emperor\u27s previous Type III or hybrids rather than to accept the new type