Zeus and Aquila Ancient Greek / Roman art. Eagle statue and amulet. Carrier of lightning bolts.

Zeus and Aquila Eagle

Greco - Roman art - legionnare symbol

Made of a limestone and quartzite composition stone, these pieces have been given an authentic aged patina.

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Aquila, the Iconic eagle often represented atop processional standards or carrying poles in Ancient Rome, finds representation here in two small but striking objects.

A statuette is accompanied by an amulet featuring a seated Zeus patting the wing of Aquila who stands ready for action on a plinth.
Included is a replica collector card showing Aquila flying towards a chained Prometheus to punish him for stealing ‘fire’ for mankind.

Aquila is Latin for ‘eagle’ and was to the ancient Greeks the carrier of thunderbolts thrown down to Earth by Zeus. Aquila is also known as a constellation whose most radiant star is Altair.


As the Roman Empire absorbed much of Greek iconography, Aquila was given a special elevated role. He was carried by a special guard at the forefront of a Roman legion known as an Aquilifer and each legion had one. An orb that the eagle often clenches within its talons represents the world and Rome’s dominion over it. This symbolism outlived the Roman empire and was used again in many cultures including Byzantine, German and Victorian England.

The Aquila statues on the carrying poles were small enough to be removed and placed in a tunic converting the pole to a spear.

History also records that these valuable items were often thrown into the oncoming enemy lines to momentarily distract them and ‘fire up’ the front line legionares.