Marble head of bearded man
Γ1143
Stone (White marble)
Large chip on nose, scattered smaller chipping. Weathered skin, largely coated in mineral salts.
Height: 13 cm. Width: 8.6 cm.
Amnissos
Sanctuary of Zeus Thenatas
Hellenistic period:
125-100 BC:
Gallery:
XVExhibition thematic unit:
Geometric - Archaic - Classical period (10th-4th c. BC). Cities and SanctuariesSanctuaries
Description
Smaller-than-life-size bust of a male bearded figure wearing a narrow headband. The uneven elaboration and rendition of the hairstyle, and the position of the neck, both indicate that the head was strongly turned to the right. In the top of the head is a vertical socket for a separate part of the sculpture, probably a kalathos, allowing the figure to be identified as Sarapis. Despite the sense of movement created by the strong transitions of the surfaces, for example the deeply carved hair and beard, the face of the god gives an overall impression of serenity. The cult syncretism of Zeus as Thenatas and Sarapis in the same sanctuary of Amnisos demonstrates the religious cosmopolitanism of the Greek world after Alexander, in which Crete strengthened its ties of every kind to Egypt.Bibliography:
Marinatos, S."Ανασκαφαί εν Αμνισώ της Κρήτης". Πρακτικά της εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας 1934, 132, pl. 4. Stürmer, V. Skulpturen aus Stein. In J. Schäfer (ed.), Amnisos nach den archäologischen, historischen und epigraphischen Zeugnissen des Altertums und der Neuzeit, Berlin, 1992, 233, pl. 86-87.Author:
K. S.Photographs' metadata