The first marble statue discovered in the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica on 3 July,  is probably of Lucius – grandson of Roman Emperor Octavian Augustus, announced Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski who is in charge of the excavations.

• Archaeologists make new significant discovery in Heraclea Sintica

“There is no doubt the statue is from the beginning of the Common Era, that it is of a real historical figure with positions of power and that it was crafted after his death. It is deified as Hermes who carried the dead souls away,” said the archaeologist. The 2-metre statue was found in the grand canal of the forum in the ancient city, and is thought to have spent time close to running water before being hidden away there.

• Archaeologists unearth another Roman statue in Heraclea Sintica

Restoring the second marble statue, discovered at the end of September not far from the location of the first statue, will reveal whether it depicts Lucius’ brother Gaius. The statue, which is over 2 metres tall, was created approximately 2,000 years ago, Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski explains.

All scientific arguments regarding who the unknown master depicted more than 20 centuries ago, will be expounded in an article to be published in Archaeologia Bulgarica magazine, Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski says further.