Bust of 'Pseudo-Seneca'

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"Pseudo-Seneca": The Bust's True Identity Unveiled For centuries, the bust bearing an uncanny resemblance to the renowned Roman philosopher Seneca went undetected as a forgery. However, in 1813, an inscribed portrait revealed Seneca's name, finally laying the mystery to rest. Some historians propose that this "Pseudo-Seneca" might actually be Hesiod, a celebrated ancient Greek poet. Long locks of hair cascade down the forehead of this enigmatic figure, but his piercing gaze remains unobstructed. The gaze is unmistakably that of an ancient philosopher, one who pondered life's great mysteries with intensity and curiosity. This rugged and unkempt appearance seems to have sparked the association with Seneca, a first-century Roman statesman born in Spain, and perceived as a provincial outsider by classical Rome. A photograph of the original bust, courtesy of Wikimedia user Marie-Lan Nguyen (2011), serves as a testament to this fascinating relic's enduring legacy.