statue of Nemesis

statue of Nemesis




In one corner of the room you see a lovely marble statue of Nemesis, the implacable goddess of fate and divine retribution. She holds the wheel of fortune in her left hand, and with her right foot she crushes the head of a fallen foe. Nemesis was the patron goddess of gladiators; indeed, one type of gladiator, the Thraex, wore one of her attributes, the griffin, on the crest of his helmet, and many amphitheaters have shrines to this goddess. Gladiators sought her protection in the arena and also attempted to avert her wrath.

As you look at this statue more carefully, you notice that her face and hairdo closely resemble that of our late and beloved empress, Faustina the Elder.