Side view of Herakles' torso
Side view of lower torso and leg
Side view: detail of legs
Detail of Cerberus' head
Cerberus Metope: Full figure
Full leg, head of Cerberus
| Collection: | Olympia Archaeological Museum |
| Title: | Olympia Cerberus Metope |
| Context: | From Olympia |
| Findspot: | Excavated at Olympia |
| Summary: | Herakles and Cerberus |
| Material: | Marble |
| Sculpture Type: | Architectural |
| Category: | Statuary group |
| Placement: | East Metope 5 |
| Style: | Early Classical |
| Technique: | High relief |
| Original or Copy: | Original |
| Date: | ca. 470 BC - ca. 457 BC |
| Dimensions: | H 1.60 m (approximately square) |
| Scale: | Under life-size |
| Region: | Elis |
| Period: | Early Classical |
| In Group: | Olympia Metopes |
Subject Description:
The eleventh metope, last but one on the East side, represents what is usually considered the final Labor, that of bringing Cerberus from Hades. Because of the difficulty of the task, Herakles is usually accompanied by Hermes or Athena or both of his patrons. In the Olympia metope, Hermes occupies the right side of the metope, as indicated by his right foot and the outline of his legs. His purpose was to charm the monstrous dog, who usually hid in a corner. Here only Cerberus' forepart is represented, as Herakles struggles to pull him out. The dog has been collared and the two are on their way out of the Underworld, the deed nearly completed. The beast is presented in normal canine form, completely unexaggerated except perhaps by size. Earlier representations give the dog two or three heads. The earliest preserved images can be traced only as far as the sixth century, though the literary references extend back to Homer (
Condition: Fragmentary
Condition Description:
A large number of fragments comprising the figure of Herakles have been preserved. A large fragment from the lower right corner with the head of Cerberus and feet of Hermes has also survived.
Associated Building: Olympia, Temple of Zeus
Sources Used: