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Undergraduate
Classics Teaching Collections |
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| Backward |
Forward |
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| Name: |
Head
of Herakles |
| Picture: |
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| Description: |
From
metope 3 over the West Porch of the Temple of Zeus, Olympia. Olympia
Museum. H. 0.22m. Head of Herakles from the metope series of the Twelve
Labours. This is the tale of the Stymphalian Birds. Herakles' face
is over-heavy in the jaw beneath cheekbones that are incorrectly positioned.
Almond eyes beneath heavy brows, a straight nose and parted lips;
the teeth can be glimpsed. A small ear to the right of the head; the
left is hidden beneath drapery. |
| Date: |
c. 470-457
B.C. |
| Discussion: |
In the
original sculpture, Herakles stands three-quarters on, offering the
Stymphalian Birds (not extant; presumably made of metal as the birds
in the myth were) to Athena, who sits on a rock and looks back at
the hero, one hand reaching out to accept his gift. See Robertson
1981: fig. 122, p. 82-3; Stewart 1990: 142-6, 150-1, 253-4; 277 (ill.). |
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