Seated Chares, Governor of Teichioussa

myminifactory

This majestic marble statue is one that can be identified with certainty today. The inscription on its front and side says,"I am Chares, son of Kleisis, ruler of Teichioussa, a gift to Apollo". It's one of the few surviving Greek statues mentioned in an ancient inscription. Additionally, it's among the earliest known monumental 'portraits', although during this period, a portrait wasn't meant to be a literal likeness.\r\nDidyma was an ancient Greek sanctuary located on Ionia's coast and belonged to Miletus, a famous city. Apollo was the main deity of Didyma's sanctuary, also known as the Didymaion. The temple contained shrines for twins Apollo and Artemis. Other deities were honored within the sanctuary as well. Didymaion was renowned in antiquity due to its oracle, situated within the world's largest temple dedicated to Apollo.\r\nGR 1869 12-26.5 (Sculpture B278, Inscription 933)