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Poseidon of Melos

Poseidon of Melos is a large statue of the sea god in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens (inv. no. 235). It is dated to the last quarter of the 2nd century BCE and was found on the island of Melos in 1877. Carved from Parian marble, the over-life-size figure stands 2.35 m tall and was reassembled from several pieces. Modern restorations include parts of the left foot and the himation, while parts of the nose, beard, and hair are missing. Poseidon is shown largely nude, with a himation wrapped around the hips and legs, holding it at his left side, and raising his right arm as if once holding a trident. A dolphin on the rear right side serves as a support.

Poseidon of Melos statue of a bearded man holding a trident aloft
Poseidon of Melos shown as a full-length statue with a trident raised in one hand.
© · Public domain
Poseidon of Melos statue of a bearded man holding a trident aloft
Poseidon of Melos, shown in a black-and-white photograph of the classical statue with a raised trident.
© Rijksmuseum · CC0
Poseidon of Melos marble statue of a bearded man with one arm raised, displayed in a museum gallery.
The Poseidon of Melos marble statue displayed in a brightly lit museum gallery.
July 2016 © · CC0
Poseidon of Melos, a bearded male statue with one arm raised and a draped garment around the lower body.
Poseidon of Melos shown as a muscular bearded figure with one arm raised and a draped cloth at the waist.
1893 © Diomedes, Paulos · Public domain
Poseidon of Melos marble statue in a museum hall, with a raised arm and draped lower body
Poseidon of Melos, a marble statue displayed in a museum hall.
March 2009 © · CC BY 2.0

Identification

TitlePoseidon of Melos
Object typeStatue
SubjectPoseidon, god of the sea

Historical context

DateLast quarter of the 2nd century BC
PeriodHellenistic period
Stylistic and historical contextShows the influence of Classical sculpture on the eve of the Hellenistic period

Creator

AttributionThe creator is not known with certainty

Discovery and provenance

Discovery date1877
Discovery locationMilos
Associated findAnfitrite, described as Poseidon's lover, was discovered with the sculpture

Location and ownership

Current locationNational Archaeological Museum, Athens
Inventory number235

Physical characteristics

Restored partsParts of the left foot and the himation are modern additions
Missing partsParts of the nose, beard, and hair are missing
Condition at discoveryFound broken into several pieces and later reassembled
ScaleOver life-size
Height2.35 m

Materials

MaterialParian marble

Appearance

DepictionSemi-nude, with the lower body covered by a himation
PoseStanding in a majestic pose with the right arm raised, probably to hold a trident
Left handHolds the himation at the left side of the pelvis
DraperyThe himation is wrapped around the hips, covering much of the legs and the genitals, and partly covering the back; a fold of cloth lies over the left shoulder
Body positionThe right leg bears the weight and the left leg is free
SupportA dolphin on the rear right side serves as a statue support
Head positionSlightly turned to the left and looking into the distance
Anatomical treatmentThe musculature of the arms and body is finely rendered

Iconography and meaning

AttributeTrident, probably originally held in the raised right hand and now lost
Pose typeA standard pose for Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades

History and restoration

Commissioning and useProbably commissioned by high-ranking members of Athenian society for display in public temples, palaces, or academies