Herm with Charioteer

Sculpture

Rome, Via Portuense, sacellum of Hercules

The bust of the charioteer made of Cararra marble is fixed on a herm of Bardiglio marble. The highly individualized portrait shows an older man with a long nose, deep-set eyes, sharp cheek bones emphasized by concave cheeks and thin lips. The treatment of the hairstyle, brushed forward into a neat fringe is reminiscent of the hairstyle of the emperor Trajan on certain portrait types and coins. He wears a tunic over which is just visible the heavy, wide leather fascia that covered the body from waist to chest, identifying the man as a charioteer.

Palazzo Massimo Museum, Rome

H: 174 cm

The seven herms in the collection were discovered arranged in front of the small grotto-like sacellum (shrine) of Hercules, which dated by inscription mid 1st-early 2nd century. Each bust is set on marble pillar (herm). The men represented are all charioteers as is evident from their clothing. Each bust is highly individualized and beautifully executed, indicating that these were rather expensive commissions. The charioteers dedicated their herms to Hercules, patron of athletes, as thanks for their victories.

Intini, V. “Le erme di aurighi dal sacellum Herculis." In C. Gaspari, R. Paris, eds., ”Palazzo Massimo alle Terme." Le collezioni. Roma: 2013, pp. 160, 163. Nista, L. ed., Sacellum Herculis. Le sculture del tempio di Ercole a Trastevere. Esposizione temporanea nell’ aula di. S. Isidoro in Thermis 1991. Roma, 1991, pp.62-63.

Attributed to Angela Kalinowski under the license CC-BY-NC 4.0

CC-BY-NC 4.0

Angela Kalinowski

Photographer

Statue
Herm
Roman
Marble
Charioteer
Equipment
Hercules

2nd c. CE