In 278 BC several Celtic tribes crossed over into Asia Minor against whom the Attalids of Pergamum fought in defense of the Greek cities in the region. Around 225 BC, two great monuments were set up on the acropolis at Pergamum to celebrate those victories. The inscribed bases still survive and permit later marble copies to be recognized. The Ludovisi Group shows a Celtic chieftan who has chosen suicide for himself and his wife rather than defeat and capture.
The statue is in the National Roman Museum, Palazzo Altemps.
