Collection: | Athens, Acropolis Museum |
Title: | Herakles relief |
Context: | From Athens, Acropolis |
Findspot: | Found at Athens, Acropolis |
Summary: | Nike crowning a Naked Herakles, perhaps accompanied by Hebe |
Object Function: | Votive |
Material: | Marble |
Sculpture Type: | Stele, relief-decorated |
Category: | Single monument |
Style: | Late Classical |
Technique: | Low relief |
Original or Copy: | Original |
Date: | ca. 400 BC - ca. 375 BC |
Dimensions: | H. 0.55 m; W. 0.64 m |
Scale: | Miniature (pictorial field) |
Region: | Attica |
Period: | Late Classical |
Subject Description: After his death and apotheosis, Herakles, naked and turning to the right, is crowned by Nike, in honor of his triumph over death. Nike, standing 3/4-view to the left, in turn embraces another woman, perhaps Hebe (who became Herakles' bride, thus providing him with eternal youth). The figure identified as Hebe, also shown 3/4-view to the left, is clearly a goddess, as she is shown at a larger scale than Herakles, and even slightly larger than Herakles. Both female figures are draped in belted chitons--standard clothing for youthful females.
Condition: Fragmentary
Condition Description: Comprised of four or more rejoineed fragments, slightly restored at the junctures, preserving most of the top of the relief, including parts of both sides and the top edge.
Material Description: Pentelic, according to Brouskari
Sources Used:
Other Bibliography: Archaeologische Hermeneutik (Berlin 1919) 19, fig. 15.