Tondo mit dem Bildnis von Romulus als erster König Roms, Hofportal V, Schlüterhof

Truly ancient

The reliefs show Romulus and Numa, who according to legend were the first kings of Rome. The sculptors modelled their design on two tiny coins from ancient Rome. These came from the King's famous collection of ancient coins in the Berlin Palace. They were commissioned over two thousand years ago in the classical period by two politicians who wanted to associate themselves with mythical images of the founding fathers of Rome. The facade reliefs performed a similar role, linking the Prussian king, who was regarded as something of an upstart by European rulers, with Rome's illustrious past.