Beyond the Marble - Season 1

Let’s retrace the extraordinary history of the Borghese archaeological collection.From the rise of the Borghese family with Pope Paul V and Cardinal Nephew Scipione to the excavations at Gabii and the sale to Napoleon, this collection symbolizes a noble family’s love for the ancient across centuries of passion, challenges, and triumphs.

What guides us in life? The radiant rationality of Apollo or the unchained madness of Dionysus?Looking at some remarkable archaeological treasures from the Galleria Borghese, we delve into the timeless conflict between these two opposing forces.

In this episode of “Beyond the Marble”, we investigate how the classical culture approached identity through its interactions with the Other.From the clash between Romans and barbarians depicted on a sarcophagus in the museum’s Portico to the unsettling sensuality of the Sleeping Hermaphrodite, we uncover the coexistence of opposing identities.What does it really mean to "be different"? Are we capable of overcoming the prejudices that have long hindered us from building harmonious relationships with strangers?  

A desperate run, legs in motion, heart racing wildly.In the Egyptian Room of Galleria Borghese, the statue of the goddess Isis, restored as Ceres, embodies her tireless quest, a potent expression of boundless love and determination.Step by step, never losing hope, we can all rediscover and piece together what we consider lost.

Crossing the Portico of  Galleria Borghese, the famous mosaic of the Gladiators unfolds before us: a masterpiece that narrates the glory and brutality of Ancient Rome.Vivid scenes of bloody duels and wild hunts portray a world where horror and violence were mere entertainment.A captivating journey through the art and contradictions of a civilization that, despite everything, continues to enchant us.

In this episode we delve into the profound themes of death and the afterlife through the lens of Roman funerary art.An unnamed matron, captured in a small relief in the grandest hall of the Borghese Gallery, prompts us to reflect on how the Romans approached the end of life — embracing the moment and finding joy in even the simplest pleasures.But what happens to those left behind?The poignant tribute to the poetess Petronia Musa envelops us in the sorrow of loss and underscores the enduring significance of remembrance.

A relief in Room I of Galleria Borghese brings the drama of the fall of Troy to life.As chaos engulfs the city, the temple of the goddess Athena becomes a site of horrific desecration.A chilling reflection of human brutality in wartime.A work, a myth, a warning about the devastating consequences of conflict and the fate of those most vulnerable.

Let’s rediscover the myth of Heracles, the hero of heroes who confronts monsters and tackles impossible challenges, through the precious sarcophagus in Room II where his feats unfold in sequence.A journey from darkness to light, celebrating glory, courage, and redemption that continues to inspire generations.

Time has always been an impenetrable mystery.In this episode of “Beyond the Marble”, we explore how an ancient civilization, like the classical one, sought to understand the passage of time, measure it, and govern it.Two works, which seem very different at first glance—a mosaic and a Roman sarcophagus—both reveal the relationship between humanity, time, and nature.We’ll discover how the changing seasons inspired the creation of myths and rituals in antiquity.

Marcus Curtius and Antinous, two sculptures in the Galleria Borghese remain forever young, legendary for their extreme acts of devotion and sacrifice.Were these acts expressions of courage or mere recklessness, typical of youth?And we-what are we truly willing to sacrifice for others?Let’s explore the profound meaning of sacrifice and the courage of those who, driven by ideals, choose to give up everything.