Helenistic Prince

Helenistic Prince

A statue of a man portrayed in heroic nudity that was usually reserved for rulers or military leaders.  Some think it may represent a Seleucid prince, possibly Attalus II of Pergamum.

He rests on a [modern] spear while his right hand is draped behind his back—compare the pose of Heracles at Rest.  He has a short beard and looks to the horizon with a wistful gaze.

The statue may date to the third or second century B.C. and came to Rome as plunder of war.  There is a Latin inscription on his stomach.