Ares and the Heads of Heroes

For most scholars, the Ares Ludovisi type in Greek sculpture is represented by four types of evidence: a Roman copy of an early Hellenistic seated figure; at least one copy of the torso; several heads probably once belonging to copies of the same original; similar heads combined with bodies of different types. The varying styles of the copies have led to uncertainties in attributing and, sometimes, dating the original. Moreover, it has recently been suggested that even the seated statue is an eclectic Greco-Roman work. The present study defends the seated type as a true replica, although with accessories added by the copyist, and argues that the date of the original is late classical rather than early Hellenistic. It is also suggested, however, that this original was Silanion's statue of Achilles mentioned by Pliny, although it was later adapted to represent Ares by at least one artist. The heads are most readily identifiable by a consistent treatment of the hair. In an appendix, this feature is discussed and compared with other hairstyles in fourth century sculpture

Art · Art history · Literature · Roman art · Sculpture · Statue · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Classical Antiquity Studies · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies