Memnon of Ethiopia

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This is a 3D scan of a plaster cast of the sculpture 'Memnon of Ethiopia', dating back approximately 2,050 years. The scan was created from the original cast (ref. KAS969) housed in The Royal Cast Collection at SMK – National Gallery of Denmark. This particular version has been downscaled to about 10 megabytes. To learn more about the 3D scans of casts within The Royal Cast Collection and download all high-resolution models, please visit: www.smk.dk/3d. If you create new work using the model and wish to share it with us, simply send an email to web@smk.dk. Custom Section About the Sculpture King Memnon of Ethiopia is briefly mentioned in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad. He arrives at Troy with a massive army renowned for their exceptional skill as archers. Memnon himself is a warrior of such remarkable prowess and fearlessness that he is compared to Greece's greatest hero, Achilles. The two meet in battle, resulting in Memnon's demise. Recognising his strength and courage, the Greek gods make him immortal and take him to Mount Olympus. This bust was crafted in the Hellenistic style for the villa where the Greek philosopher Herodes Atticus resided while educating Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Around this time, approximately 170 BC, the Romans were deeply fascinated by the culture of Greece, a recent conquest. They were particularly enthralled by Homer's tales, which had also captivated the last great Greek ruler, Alexander the Great. Roman emperors sought to emulate Alexander, and Alexander saw himself as a new Achilles. During the reign of Alexander and later the Romans, there was a significant shift in tastes, veering away from classical idealism towards greater realism. Hence, the bust of King Memnon appears as a portrait of an actual person, not just a type. He is, however, also an ideal figure for the Romans, who believed they were descended from the Trojans. Their conquest of Greece had avenged the fall of Troy, and they stood on the same side as Memnon. To the Greeks and Romans, the Ethiopians were stronger, taller, and blessed with unusual longevity compared to other people. Henrik Holm, senior research curator at SMK