Orpheus Monument

The Orpheus Monument (Slovene: Orfejev spomenik) is a Roman monument in Ptuj, Slovenia, an almost 5 metres (16 ft) high and about 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in) wide stele, carved of white Pohorje marble. It is located at Slovene Square (Slovene: Slovenski trg), the town's central square, in front of the Town Tower. It is the oldest public monument preserved in its original location in Slovenia,[1] the largest discovered monument from the Roman province of the Pannonia Superior,[2] and the symbol of Ptuj.[3]

The Orpheus monument was originally a grave marker of Marcus Valerius Verus, the mayor of Poetovio in the 2nd century AD

The monolith was originally a grave marker, erected in the 2nd century AD to honor the memory of Marcus Valerius Verus, the duumvir (mayor) of Roman Poetovio.[3] In the Middle Ages, it was used as a pillory.[3] Criminals were tied to the iron rings attached to its lower part.[2] Since March 2008, it has the status of a national cultural monument.[3]

The central relief illustrates scenes from the myth of Orpheus, who plays the lyre while mourning his lost love Eurydice. Other reliefs depict the Greek-Egyptian god Serapis, who symbolizes the hope of resurrection. The corners each contain a prone lion gnawing on a ram's head. Beneath this, a relief in the tympanum depicts the Moon goddess Selene, leaning over her dead lover Endymion. All the reliefs and inscriptions are badly eroded.[4]