The Ancient World

Leda and the Swan Unknown Roman, A.D. 1 - 100  Marble The J. Paul Getty Museum “Greek mythology tells the story of Leda, a mortal woman and queen of Sparta who caught the eye of Zeus, king of the gods. Zeus had frequent affairs with mortals and often disguised himself as an animal in order to avoid angry husbands and fathers. He appeared to Leda in the form of a swan, who here is drawn by Leda into her lap while she holds up a sheltering cloak. Found in 1775 in Rome, this statue is a Roman copy of an earlier Greek statue from the 300s B.C. attributed to Timotheos. More than two dozen copies of this statue survive, attesting to the theme’s popularity among the Romans.”

Leda and the Swan

Unknown
Roman, A.D. 1 - 100 
Marble

The J. Paul Getty Museum

“Greek mythology tells the story of Leda, a mortal woman and queen of Sparta who caught the eye of Zeus, king of the gods. Zeus had frequent affairs with mortals and often disguised himself as an animal in order to avoid angry husbands and fathers. He appeared to Leda in the form of a swan, who here is drawn by Leda into her lap while she holds up a sheltering cloak.

Found in 1775 in Rome, this statue is a Roman copy of an earlier Greek statue from the 300s B.C. attributed to Timotheos. More than two dozen copies of this statue survive, attesting to the theme’s popularity among the Romans.”

Applique with Medusa Greek, possibly from South Italy, 300 - 275 B.C. Silver and gold The J. Paul Getty Museum

Applique with Medusa

Greek, possibly from South Italy, 300 - 275 B.C.
Silver and gold

The J. Paul Getty Museum

Helmet Greek, South Italy, 400 - 375 B.C. Bronze The J. Paul Getty Museum “Scholars call this form of Greek helmet Apulo-Corinthian, meaning that it is a variation of the standard Corinthian helmet used in the Greek colonies in Apulia. Three attachments on the top of the helmet originally held decoration, probably horsehair crests, feathers, or metal animal horns. Low holes on either side of the helmet held a chinstrap, and a hole in the back of the helmet may have been used to hang it for storage or display. Several characteristics demonstrate that this helmet was not meant to enclose the head as functional armor. The eyeholes are too small and close together, and there are no openings for the mouth or for the ears. The elaborate incised decoration that covers the surface further supports the notion of the helmet’s ceremonial function.”

Helmet

Greek, South Italy, 400 - 375 B.C.
Bronze

The J. Paul Getty Museum

“Scholars call this form of Greek helmet Apulo-Corinthian, meaning that it is a variation of the standard Corinthian helmet used in the Greek colonies in Apulia. Three attachments on the top of the helmet originally held decoration, probably horsehair crests, feathers, or metal animal horns. Low holes on either side of the helmet held a chinstrap, and a hole in the back of the helmet may have been used to hang it for storage or display.

Several characteristics demonstrate that this helmet was not meant to enclose the head as functional armor. The eyeholes are too small and close together, and there are no openings for the mouth or for the ears. The elaborate incised decoration that covers the surface further supports the notion of the helmet’s ceremonial function.”

Hand mirror with the head of Medusa Greek, South Italy, 500 - 480 B.C. Bronze The J. Paul Getty Museum

Hand mirror with the head of Medusa

Greek, South Italy, 500 - 480 B.C.
Bronze

The J. Paul Getty Museum

Wine cup with Bellerophon fighting the Chimaera Attributed to the Boreads Painter Greek, Lakonia, about 565 B.C. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Wine cup with Bellerophon fighting the Chimaera

Attributed to the Boreads Painter
Greek, Lakonia, about 565 B.C.

The J. Paul Getty Museum

Fragmentary roof ornament with Medusa Etruscan, 550 - 500 B.C. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Fragmentary roof ornament with Medusa

Etruscan, 550 - 500 B.C.

The J. Paul Getty Museum

Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry, 2nd century, Roman copy from a Greek original The Hermitage Museum

Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry, 2nd century, Roman copy from a Greek original

The Hermitage Museum

Clio, Muse of History, 2nd century, Roman copy from a Greek original The Hermitage Museum

Clio, Muse of History, 2nd century, Roman copy from a Greek original

The Hermitage Museum

Amphora: Flight of Iphigenia, Orestes and Pylades from the Temple of Artemis of Taurida, 330-320 BCE, The Ixion Painter, Southern Italy The Hermitage Museum

Amphora: Flight of Iphigenia, Orestes and Pylades from the Temple of Artemis of Taurida, 330-320 BCE, The Ixion Painter, Southern Italy

The Hermitage Museum

Pair of Earrings with a Disc and a Pyramid, 330-300s BCE The Hermitage Museum

Pair of Earrings with a Disc and a Pyramid, 330-300s BCE

The Hermitage Museum