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Relief to the hero Metrodoros

One common type of sanctuary relief shows a man reclining on a couch with food or offerings in front of him, and other people in attendance. In the Greek period these reliefs were dedicated by cities to honour local figures thought to have super-human powers (heroes). The scenes that show heroes include a snake or horseman, both symbols of the cult of the dead. In the Roman period similar reliefs were used by individual families to honour their dead relatives (such as GR.21.1865).

Inscribed: ‘Of Metrodoros, son of Apollodoros’. A snake, coiled around the tree, drinks from the bowl which Metrodoros holds in his left hand.

Production place: western Asia Minor, probably
Date: around  225–175 BC
Marble
Given by Fiott Lee, J. Dr

Object Number: GR.28.1865

see the online collections database