This headless statue is one of the ancient world's most important sculptures in porphyry. This stone, which is particularly hard and difficult to work, was reserved for the imperial court at Rome, and later at Constantinople. It is hard to tell who is represented here. Some have suggested Christ, or Constantine. Ironically, considering the tragic events of the period, it is also possible that it could be Diocletian, the soldier emperor and sworn enemy of the Christians. A porphyry statue of him stood on top of Pompey's Pillar. This statue dates to the early 4th century and is housed in the Graeco-Roman Museum.