The Palazzo Altemps, which is now one of the sites of the Museo Nazionale Romano, was built in the 15th century by Girolamo Riario, a nephew of Pope Sixtus IV (r. 1471-84). In 1568 it was bought by Cardinal Marco Sittico Altemps (1533-95), the Austrian nephew of Pope Pius IV (r. 1559-65). The palazzo remained in the possession of the Altemps family until the middle of the 19th century.
Coat of Arms of Cardinal Marco Sittico Altemps
The coat of arms of the Altemps family is a rampant goat and images of goats caper throughout the palace.
Head of Hera
The Palazzo Altemps is home to numerous ancient sculptures that once belonged to various noble Roman families, including the Boncompagni Ludovisi, and are now the property of the Italian state.
The Ludovisi Gaul
The Ludovisi Ares
The sculpture depicts Ares, the god of war, nude. He holds a sword in his left hand, while at his feet a little Eros plays between his shield and his helmet, a reference to the amorous relationship between Ares and Aphrodite. In 1622 the sculpture was restored by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who added the head of the Eros, the right foot of the Ares and the hilt of the sword.
The Great Ludovisi Sarcophagus
This sarcophagus (2nd/3rd century CE) entered the Ludovisi collection shortly after its discovery, near the Porta Tiburtina, in 1621. Battle scenes are chiselled on the front and on the two shorter sides. The front is organised on three levels: the victorious Romans are depicted near to the top, the central part consists of a battle between Romans and barbarians, while at the bottom the defeated barbarians are lying on the ground.