Erected by Simonetti, by order of Pius VI. In the centre is a
magnificent vase of red porphyry, 46 feet in circumference, found in
the House of Nero. The large mosaic represents combats between
Centaurs and Lapithæ, and nymphs carried on the backs of monsters; in
the centre, under the vase, is the head of Medusa. The border
represents the adventures of Ulysses, Neptune, and monsters. The
principal statues are 537, 538, Tragedy and Comedy; 539, Bust of
Jupiter; 540, Colossal statue of Antinoüs; 546, Statue of Ceres; 545,
Bust of Antinoüs; 544, Hercules, in gilt bronze, found in 1864 during
the restoration of the foundations of the Biscioni Palace, which
occupies the site of the Theatre of Pompey, in the middle of which
stood the Temple of Venus Victrix, which this statue adorned; 542,
Colossal Juno; 547, Bust of Ocean; 548, Nerva, a seated statue crowned
with bronze oak wreath; 550, The Emperor Claudius; 552, Juno; 553, The
Genius of Augustus. _We now pass into_