Limestone statue of a god

Unknown

3rd century BCE · Limestone · Greek and Roman Art

The identity of this young plump figure with horns at his forehead and a lion in his right hand is uncertain. Although Herakles is usually shown with a lion, statues of the young Herakles are more likely to show him with the snake that he strangled while still in the cradle. Moreover, Herakles does not appear with animal horns. Possibly Bes, an Egyptian god with a lion's face, is shown here in a Cypriot adaptation. On Cyprus, Bes is sometimes shown with horns sprouting from his leonine head and holding a lion; this figure may be intended to show the deity in a youthful form.

Artist

Unknown

Date

3rd century BCE

Medium

Limestone

Culture

Cypriot

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76