Statue of Hercules from Forum Boarium

The statue of Hercules exhibited in the Capitoline Museums is one of the most delightful Roman statues preserved to this day.

Statue

One of the most interesting exhibits presented in the Capitoline Museums is a slightly over life-size Hellenistic style statue of Hercules. The statue was made of bronze and gilded, it has been preserved in excellent condition.

The image presents Hercules while doing one of the twelve works – getting the golden apple Hesperide and delivering it to Eurystheus. Heros was depicted in his youth, very differently to another well-known performance – Farnese Hercules, who was definitely in his prime. The hero holds a golden apple in the left arm bent and a mace in the right.

Discovery

The statue was discovered in the former Forum Boarium in the 16th century. It is now exhibited at the Palazzo Dei Convervatori.

Origin

Many researchers assume that it was a cult figure, originally exhibited in the Temple of Hercules at the Forum Boarium and avoided destruction by Christians and remelting into coins. Perhaps it was hidden by the followers of traditional Roman gods.