Detail of garment and hand
Overall view of Athena and Herakles
Full view of upper body
Detail of foot
| Collection: | Olympia Archaeological Museum |
| Title: | Olympia Stymphalian Birds Metope |
| Context: | From Olympia |
| Findspot: | Found at Olympia |
| Summary: | Herakles and the Stymphalian Birds |
| Material: | Marble |
| Sculpture Type: | Architectural |
| Category: | Statuary group |
| Placement: | West 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:
On the left a youthful, barefoot Athena sits on a high rock. She is dressed in a peplos and aegis but without weapons. On the right Herakles turns slightly toward center in order to present Athena with his trophy, the dead Stymphalian birds. In his left hand he probably held a bow.
Once again the subject and position of this metope is known from Pausanias. At least one representation of this Labor can be traced to the 8th century, although the story did not become popular until much later in the archaic period. Like other representations, however, the episode depicted was always the struggle itself. The Olympia metope is strikingly different in its representation of the aftermath of the struggle and unique in its inclusion of Athena, who is otherwise unknown in connection with this story. She is here as the patroness of Herakles, in her guise of Athena Polias, the protector of cities, indicated here by the rock on which Athena sits.
Condition: Fragmentary
Condition Description:
Athena (Paris): essentially complete but for some loss of the surface; Herakles: torso, head (Paris) and most of right arm (Paris), enough of the legs to show their position.
Associated Building: Olympia, Temple of Zeus
Sources Used: