The Getty Villa: Hercules

One of the greatest of Greek heroes is Herackles.  Even the Romans adopted him as one of their own.  This statue, from 100-200 AD, shows Herackles in traditional form.   He carries the skins of a Nemean lion and the club (what is paritally seen from what is his right arm).   The wreath around his head declares him an athletic victor.

 

Statues like this were common around the Life Time Fitness centers of the day where athletes trained for the Olympic games.



 

Below is another statue, called the Lansdowne Herackles.

 

 

This piece, created around 125 AD, was discovered in 1790 near the villa of the Roman emperor Hadrian.  It was purchased in 1792 by an English collector, the Marquess of Landsowne.   Once again you can see the trademark lion skin and club.  

 

It is just like me in jeans and hat, except he has hair, and I have 129 extra pounds.  And, of course, I don't carry around a lion skin and club much anymore, either.

 

This is one of the Getty's most prized pieces.   It was amazing.