A stunning ancient Greek statue was discovered during work on the natural gas network in Athens near the Acropolis, the Greek Ministry of Culture announced on Monday, December 9.
According to the statement, the exceptionally well-preserved statue was found at the intersection of Erechtheion and Kallisperi streets in central Athens near the Herodion, which is beneath the Acropolis.
The statue of a nude male figure in the style of god Hermes Ludovisi was uncovered during construction for the expansion of the natural gas network in the Greek capital.
It was “discovered placed inside a structure built of rectangular bricks and was found in fairly good condition,” the Ministry of Culture’s statement noted.
The ministry explained that this southern side of the Acropolis was historically a district of exceptionally luxurious private residences and villas, suggesting that the statue may have been part of one of these buildings.
“In this area, to the south of the Acropolis, during imperial times between the 1st and 5th centuries AD, some of the most splendid urban mansions of Athens were built. These edifices are evidence of a city that was an object of admiration and attraction for wealthy and well-educated citizens. Their residences were richly decorated with mosaic floors and sculptures, which were works from famous Neo-Attic workshops,” the statement elaborated.
According to Greek authorities, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens has completed documentation of this latest discovery and will ensure it is safely transported to conservation laboratories in Athens, where the statue will receive “necessary care.”
Άγαλμα που αποδίδει γυμνή ανδρική μορφή στον τύπο του Ερμή εντοπίστηκε κατά τη διάρκεια έργων εγκατάστασης δικτύου φυσικού αερίου πολύ κοντά στο Ηρώδειο.
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What is the Hermes Ludovisi statue that was found in Athens?
The statue found in Athens is of exceptional beauty. The Hermes Ludovisi is a remarkable example of the precision and artistry of Hellenistic marble sculptures.
This particular type celebrates the beauty of the Greek god Hermes in his role as a psychopomp, which refers to the celestial guide of souls to the afterlife, according to ancient Greek myths.
Such statues were typically crafted between the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD and are generally Roman reproductions of an earlier Greek bronze original from the 5th century BC. Statues such as that of the particular Hermes one are believed to have been heavily influenced by the style of Phidias and his workshop.
The statue typically depicts a youthful, beardless Hermes with a thoughtful, almost sorrowful expression. It always portrays Hermes as a nude figure, encapsulating the idealized aesthetics of classical art and what the Greeks and Romans perceived as the ideal male body type.
The original Hermes Ludovisi statue was acquired by Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi for the Ludovisi collection and is now on display at the Palazzo Altemps in Italy.
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