Herakles/Heracles

This bronze figure of Heracles is only about 5 in. [12 cm.] high. Note the lion pelt under his left arm.

Heracles was the son of the god Zeus and a mortal Alcmene. Although originally a mortal, he eventually attained divine status and was widely worshiped throughout Greece. As punishment for killing six of his children he had to perform 12 "labors" (= very difficult tasks). The first of which was to kill the Nemean Lion. He wrestled with the lion, strangled it, and subsequently used its pelt as a cloak. (Nemea is a site in the Peloponnese area of Greece).

This artifact is on display in the museum at Bergama (the modern city by Pergamum).