Hadrian in Ioudaea. The celebration of the emperor examined throughout the Tel Shalem bronze statue

This study aims to analyse the bronze statue of Hadrian found in Tel Shalem (in the territory of ancient Scythopolis, today Bet Shean, in Israel) and now located at the Israel Museum of Jerusalem. Several studies have been made on this statue, in particular analysing the peculiar scene depicted on the lorica of the emperor. This image, in particular, has been read in many different ways, without consensus on its proper interpretation. According to our analysis, there is a clear need to contextualise the statue in a wider and more complex background, linking it with its surroundings and the occasions that could have led to the erection of the statue. After re-examining in detail all prior theories and readings of the image on the emperor’s chest, we conclude that the statue was erected for some event before the Bar Kokhba revolt.