Athlete or Hero at The British Museum, London

myminifactory

This robust young man stands confidently with his garment slung over one shoulder. His identity remains a mystery. He may be an athlete, as the slightly puffy ears would be suitable for a boxer or a pankratiast - all-in wrestlers were known by this name. Alternatively, he could be a figure from Greek mythology, perhaps the god Hermes, or a legendary hero such as Achilles. Greek gods and heroes were often credited with major athletic feats and sporting abilities, so they tended to be depicted with athletic physiques. Other versions of the figure suggest that it is based on a Greek original rather than being an original creation from the Roman period. The statue has stylistic features belonging to both the 5th and 4th centuries BC. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan the World is an open source community effort; if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.