| TITLE
| Column of Phocas |
| CREATOR | unknown |
| DATE | 1860 |
| DIMENSIONS | 26 x 15.75 x 15.75 in. |
| ORIGINAL FORMAT | Sculpture |
| MEDIUM | Marble |
| PHYSICAL NOTE | Antique marble replica of architectural monuments at the Roman Forum commissioned in 1860 |
| DONOR | Dr. Alexis Caswell |
| DATE OF ACCESSION | 1861 |
| LOCATION | Providence Athenæum: Philbrick Rare Book Room |
Of the three architectural models of Roman ruins at the Athenæum, the Column of Phocas is the only monument comprised of a single column. The column is part of the Roman Forum in Italy, and is dedicated to the Byzantine Emperor Phocas. While it is unknown why the monument was named for him, it is documented that Phocas donated the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV.
Both the artist and year of creation of this work are unknown, but it is assumed it was sculpted in 1860-61, as it was commissioned by the donor, Dr. Alexis Caswell during his visit to Rome. Dr. Caswell was Director of the Athenæum for eight years and vice president for eight more.
Lancaster, Jane.
Inquire Within: A Social History of the Providence Athenæum Since 1753. Providence, RI: Providence Athenæum, 2003, p. 89.
"Column of Phocas, Temple of Vespasian, Temple of Castor & Pollux, Roman Forum."
The Providence Athenæum, 2019,
www.providenceathenaeum.org/collections/art-collection/sculpture/. Accessed 26 June 2019.
Edwards, Olivia. “Column of Phocas.” 2016. ARTH 401: Cataloguing Curiosity, Wheaton College, student paper.