Marble Statue of the Greek Goddess Hera
source: Wikimedia Commons
author: Jastrow
Description
An intricately carved marble statue stands in front of a red wall. The statue depicts the Greek goddess Hera, wearing a robe with expertly sculpted wrinkles and folds falling down her body. In her left hand she holds a small plate and in her right she holds a long staff.
Date
Artifact: unknown (restored 18th century AD)
Photo: 2006
Information
This marble statue of the Greek Goddess Hera is a replica of a 5th century BC Greek work. It is unknown when this reproduction was created, though it was restored to some extent by sculptor Gaspare Sibilla in the 18th century AD.
Within Greek mythology, Hera was the wife of Zeus and the goddess of marriage and women in general. Much like her husband Zeus was the figure for the all-male ancient Olympic Games, Hera had a set of all-female athletic games held in her honor; the ancient Heraean Games.
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Burkert, W. (1985). Greek religion. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.