The Four Tetrarchs

The Four Tetrarchs are a famous set of ancient Roman statues depicting four leaders who shared power in the late Roman Empire around 300 AD. Each figure represents one of the four rulers—two senior emperors and two junior associates—symbolizing the division of authority to maintain stability across the vast empire. Carved from porphyry, a rare purple stone, they emphasize authority and unity. Today, they are displayed together at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, highlighting a period when the empire was governed collaboratively to manage its size and challenges.