3-045-213 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Statue of Herakles, 2nd-1st century B.C. Additional Info: This Cypriot statuette depicts a mature, though beardless, Herakles. The hero is identified by a lion skin over his head and left shoulder and arm. The paws are tied at the front of his chest in a square knot. Herakles stands in a pronounced contrapposto pose with his weight on the right leg. He has developed pectoral and torso muscles, and prominent buttocks. The navel is shown as a triangular indentation, and the ears are well-modeled with drilled ear canals. There are traces of dark brown-red pigment remaining on the lion skin.Herakles, preeminent among Greek heroes, with cults throughout the Mediterranean world, was worshipped on Cyprus as both a Panhellenic hero and as a syncretic divinity with the Phoenician god Melqart.