Commentary Prepared by Dr. Julia Lenaghan, Ashmolean Museum

A 060 B
Head of Theseus (M); Olympia West Pediment

Marble (Parian)
Pedimental Figure
H 38.5 cm

From the west pediment of the Temple of Zeus. The head was found in 1877 28 m to the west of the temple.
Greece, Olympia, Olympia Museum
ca. 460 BC; Early Classical

Preservation:
Preserved is the head with a small section of both shoulders. The surface is in very good condition with scores on the lips and on the left upper lid and brow.

Description:
The head shows idealized, heroic features. The long hair is rolled up above the forehead and in the neck under a narrow band that is visible above the ears. The left side of the head is only roughly picked, the left ear indicated in outline. From the small preserved section of both shoulders next to the neck it is clear that both arms were emphatically raised. There are diagonal channels for the insertion of iron pins in both arms, and a small puntello in the back between the shoulder blades. The left part of the back of the head seems to have been worked off diagonally.

Discussion:
The head belongs to the torso A 60 A. Both fragments together make the striking action pose of the statue sufficiently clear. He is attacking a figure in front of him; both arms were raised high up, probably holding an axe, in a pose described by Pausanias for Theseus. The calm, idealized face is distanced from the action and shows no signs of strain. It seems that both arms had to be re-attached to the statue during an ancient repair.

Bibliography:
G. Treu, Die Bildwerke in Stein und Thon (= Olympia III) (Berlin 1895) 76-77; 79; 110 fig. 120 pls. 26.1; 27.1-2 This is the thorough original publication providing details on findspot, preservation etc.
B. Ashmole and N. Yalouris, Olympia. The Sculptures of the Temple of Zeus (London 1967) 17-18; 178 pls. 92; 95-97 A valuable and richly illustrated discussion including new fragments.