Bronze statue of a young man

National Archeological Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Bronze
Date range: About 340-330 BC
Origin: Found in the Antikythera shipwreck

This statue may represent the hero Perseus holding the head of Medusa, a monster from religious myths. These stories helped ancient people understand the power of the gods and the bravery of heroes.

It might also be Paris holding a special apple to give to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. This moment was a very important part of religious stories that led to a great war.

Statues like this were often placed in holy areas or used to show the perfect form created by the gods. By showing a hero, the artist honored the divine qualities that people hoped to have themselves.

Museum label reference: X. 13396. Bronze statue of a youth. From the Antikythera shipwreck. The figure has been identified with Perseus, who would have been holding the head of Medusa. More probably, however, it depicts Paris, who would have been holding the "apple of Strife", ready to award it to the most beautiful goddess, Aphrodite. Attributed to the Sikyonian sculptor Euphranor. About 340-330 BC.

Original Text: Χ. 13396. Χάλκινο άγαλμα νέου. Βρέθηκε σε αρχαίο ναυάγιο στη θάλασσα των Αντικυθήρων. Η μορφή ταυτίζεται είτε με τον Περσέα που κρατούσε το κεφάλι της Μέδουσας είτε, το πιθανότερο, με τον Πάρι που θα κρατούσε το «μήλον της Έριδος» για να το προσφέρει κατά τη στιγμή της κρίσης στην ωραιότερη θεά, την Αφροδίτη. Αποδίδεται στο Σικυώνιο γλύπτη Ευφράνορα. Γύρω στο 340-330 π.Χ.

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Bronze statue of a youth from the Antikythera shipwreck

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Source:  Athens, Greece