1-153-064 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Marble portrait bust of Perikles, Athenian statesman (c490-429 BC), Roman, 2nd century BC. Perikles (Pericles) led the democracy of Athens at the height of the city's power and influence. He gathered around him a circle of poets, architects and artists, whose works include a programme of renewal of the principal religious and civic buildings of Athens. The crowning glory was the Parthenon, erected on the Acropolis between 447 and 432 BC. Perikles was famous for the power of his oratory (public speaking) that enabled him to rule Athens almost without opposition. This is a Roman copy of an original portrait which was perhaps created in Perikles' own day, or shortly after his death. However, it probably bears little physical resemblance to his actual appearance, showing an ideal type of the mature soldier citizen, wearing a helmet pushed back on his head. The portrait is shaped as a 'terminal bust' for mounting on a square shaft of stone. It is said to come from the Roman emperor Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli, near Rome. It is now in the British Museum.