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Plaque, Celebration of Lateran Pacts 'Mussolini triumphator' - 1930
PEOPLE
Benitum Mussolini “triumphatorem” clamant Italia et mundus. Roma MCMXXX
Italy and the world declare Benito Mussolini as “triumphator”. Rome 1930.
This bronze, uniface plaque, with a diameter
of 220 mm, was designed by the artist Filippo Sgarlata in 1930. It features
Mussolini in profile wearing a Roman uniform. The medal was probably made to
celebrate the Lateran Pacts, as a similar medal with the profile of Pope Pius
XI by the artist exists from the same year, although this has not yet been confirmed.
The Latin word triumphator is first
attested in post-classical Latin where it is both used as an equivalent to victor,
and as an epithet for Jupiter, the Greek hero Hercules, and emperors (especially
in inscriptions). During the Fascist period, Mussolini was both associated with
the Roman emperors and with Hercules. Mussolini’s association with Hercules is
also attested in other works, such as the medal celebrating the Herculaneum
excavations. Additionally, the word is derived from the interjection triumphe,
commonly associated with Emperor Augustus through Horace’s Ode 4.2. In
this way, the idea of Italy and the world proclaiming Mussolini as triumphator may
evoke allusions to imperial, heroic, and even divinely sanctioned power.
Bibliography
Erlend Myklebust
© Sintoni