Olympia, Geryon Metope (Sculpture)

Collection:	Olympia Archaeological Museum
Title:	Olympia Geryon Metope
Context:	From Olympia
Findspot:	Excavated at Olympia
Summary:	Herakles and Geryon
Material:	Marble
Sculpture Type:	Architectural
Category:	Statuary group
Placement:	East Metope 3
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 subject of the ninth metope (third on the East side) is the theft of the cattle of Geryon. In order to accomplish this deed, Herakles had to kill the shepherd, his dog and the owner of the flock Geryon. The story has a long tradition extending back to Hesiod (Hes. Th. 287ff., 981 ff.) and Stesichorus, who devoted a book to the subject (Stesichorus, Geryoneis). Visual representations begin in the seventh century, are numerous throughout the Archaic period and relatively rare thereafter. Most of the pre-Classical images, both in literature and art, refer to all the elements of the story. The Olympia depiction is unusual in that it not only neglects the cattle which are the ultimate goal of Herakles' deed, but also the shepherd and two-headed dog who guard the cattle and who also must be killed in order to capture them. Only Geryon and Herakles are represented.

In the Olympia composition Herakles forms a vertical along the left side of the metope, arms over and behind his head in a Harmodius-like gesture. Geryon occupies most of the rest of the square. Though the remains are fragmentary, it is clear that two of the three bodies of Geryon have already succombed to Herakles blunt strength and the third is taking a beating. Thus the characteristic Late Classical choice of a moment near the end of the action is again apparent.

Condition: Fragmentary

Condition Description:

Mostly fragments are in Paris. Weathered.

Associated Building: Olympia, Temple of Zeus

Sources Used:

Stewart 1990, 142 ff.; Brommer 1986; Boardman 1985a, 33ff.; Mallwitz & Herrmann 1980, 161ff.; Robertson 1975, 276 ff.; Ashmole 1972, 27 ff.; Ridgway 1970; Ashmole & Yalouris 1967