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: Brouskari 1974, 169-70, fig. 364

Other Bibliography: Lippold 1950, 197 n. 10; C. Robert, Archaeologische Hermeneutik (Berlin 1919) 19, fig. 15.