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Limstone pediment of Herakles battling Triton

Collection: Athens, Acropolis Museum
Title: Red Triton pediment
Context: From Athens, Acropolis
Findspot: Found at Athens, Acropolis (found in 1882 SE of the Parthenon)
Summary: Herakles wrestling with the Triton
Material: Limestone
Sculpture Type: Architectural
Category: Statuary group
Placement: Pediment
Style: High Archaic
Technique: Medium relief
Original or Copy: Original
Date: ca. 575 BC - ca. 550 BC
Dimensions: H. 0.63 m; W. 1.64 m; H. relief 0.18 m
Scale: Slightly under life-size
Region: Attica
Period: High Archaic

Subject Description: Herakles, kneeling profile to the right, wrestles with the Triton, a fishy tailed monster. The Triton reaches his right hand out, perhaps as a call for help (from missing pedimental figures?).

Form & Style: The pediment may belong to Athens, Building A, of which an entablature block remains (Athens, Acropolis 4510).

Condition: Fragmentary

Condition Description: Many fragments have been rejoined to comprise two large sections and one small section of the right portion of a pediment, including the right hand, head and tail of the Triton as well as the arms and legs of Herakles.

Sources Used: Brouskari 1974, 37, fig. 47

Other Bibliography: Dinsmoor 1975, 71; Lapalus 1947, 431; Heberdey 1919, 13 ff.; Dickins 1912, 60 ff.; Wiegand 1904, 195, fig. 213