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Lycosoura Artemis

Lycosoura Artemis is the remnant of a colossal sculpture of Artemis from the Hellenistic period, discovered in Lycosura in present-day Arcadia, Greece. The bust is an acrolith, made from a composite of different materials, and is attributed to the sculptor Damophon, who was active in the Peloponnese in the early 2nd century B.C. Artemis was worshipped there alongside Demeter, the Titan Anytos, and Despoina. The historian Pausanias recorded Damophon’s life, the temple, and its religious adherents. Found in excavations in the summer of 1889, the bust is now housed in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens, as NAMA 1735.

Weathered stone head of Lycosoura Artemis with intricate wavy braids and a headband, mounted on a dark base.
Colossal head of Artemis from Lycosoura, shown mounted on a base in the National Archaeological Museum of Greece.
July 2016 © · CC0
Weathered stone head of Lycosoura Artemis on a pedestal, with braided hair and a wreath.
Head of Lycosoura Artemis, shown with braided hair and a wreath, displayed on a pedestal.
September 2010 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Weathered stone head of Lycosoura Artemis with hollow eyes, wavy hair, and a circular diadem.
The weathered stone head of Lycosoura Artemis, shown in close-up with wavy hair and a circular diadem.
July 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weathered stone head of Lycosoura Artemis with braided hair on a small pedestal.
Close-up of the stone head of Lycosoura Artemis, shown against a dark background.
October 2021 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Marble head of Lycosoura Artemis with wavy braided hair swept back
Close-up of the marble head of Lycosoura Artemis, showing the weathered surface and braided hair.
2006 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleLycosoura Artemis
Alternative titleArtemis of Lycosura
TypeColossal statue of Artemis
Surviving formBust

Historical context

PeriodHellenistic period

Creator

AttributionAttributed to Damophon
Artist activityProminent in the Peloponnese in the early 2nd century BCE

Discovery and provenance

Discovery siteTemple of Despoina at Lycosura, present-day Arcadia, Greece
Discovery dateSummer 1889
Excavation directorM. Cavvadias
Found withFragments of sculptures of Demeter, Despoina, Anytos, and a kore of Persephone
Original group contextOne of the sculptures from the Temple of Despoina
Historical sourcePausanias documented Damophon, the temple, and its worshippers

Physical characteristics

Estimated original sizeProbably 5.6 meters high and 8.4 meters wide
Surviving height48 cm

Materials

TypeAcrolith
ConstructionMarble heads, hands, and feet with a wooden body; composite sculpture made of many materials

Appearance

DepictionArtemis wearing a fawn skin and a quiver, with a torch in one hand and two serpents in the other
HairMelon coiffure
Head adornmentWreath or crown
EyesInlaid eyes
EarringsHoles in the ears indicate earrings

Iconography and meaning

Associated deitiesArtemis was worshipped with Demeter, Anytos, and Despoina
Related figurePersephone as a kore
InterpretationLocalized chthonic cult or worship

Location and ownership

Current locationNational Archaeological Museum, Athens
Inventory numberNAMA 1735
Other finds locationA local museum in Lycosura