A Fine Greco-Roma Marble Head of Herakles or Hercules Circa 1st century BC to 100 AD- From Italy/Greece. item no. AIE291

A fine and masterly carved ancient marble Head of Herakles represented by a middle-aged man. His features are severe and powerful, denoting a strong character. The aged hero depicted with curly hair and a full beard, with a small mouth below a thick mustache, a large nose and a ridged brow, his almond-shaped eyes with articulated lids. In Greco-Roman ancient history Herakles is the personality one can see and identify so frequently on the ancient Greek vases, paintings or sculptures sometimes he is depicted wearing a lion skin. Ancient writers disagreed as to whether the skin Herakles wore was that of the Nemean lion or another from a different lion, which Herakles was said to have killed when he was 18 years old. The playwright Euripides wrote and mentioned that Herakles' lion skin came from the grove of Zeus, the sanctuary at Nemea. Herakles is a most famous hero in Greek mythology and perhaps also in all classic antiquity. His name comes from the goddess Hera and the Greek word Kleros (Gloria), meaning (the glory of Hera) In consideration of many, he also has been the son of Zeus and Alceme, a mortal queen, foster son of Amphitryon and great-grandson of Perseus on his mother’s side. At birth he was given the name of Alcaeus or Alcides, in honour of his grandfather. This very word evokes the idea of strength. It was as an adult that he received the name with which he is known, imposed on him by Apollo through the Pythia, to indicate his condition as a follower of the goddess Hera. In ancient Rome as in western Europe, he is better known as Hercules, and some Roman emperors, Commodus and Maximian among others, identified with his figure. His extraordinary strength is the most important of his attributes, but he is also known for courage, pride, a certain candour and formidable sexual prowess. He is also considered to be the forebear of the kings of Sparta, and this was one of the reasons for the dissemination of his legend and cult, making Heracles the Dorian hero par excellence. There are many stories in mythology about him, the most important one is that of the Twelve Labours of Herakles. The stories in which he has the leading role form a cycle which is constant through all antiquity and for this reason it is difficult to give a chronological or even a coherent exposition of them.

Height: 15 cm (Height with custom wooden stand is 25 cm) Weight: 2.8 kg

Condition: Is good (Intact as a fragment). The face surfaces have suffered some weathering and natural abrasion including the tip of nose. The marble has over all smooth yellow patina, with brown stains (from soil?) on the face, hair, neck, and beard. (Pl. See images for more details)

Item name: A fine ancient marble Head of Herakles

Item code: AIE 291

Origin: Greco-Roman

Culture: Greco-roman

Material: Marble/stone