Statue of Hermaphroditus from Pergamon

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
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published on 12 May 2018
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Statue of Hermaphroditus from Pergamon Download Full Size Image

Hermaphroditus (or Hermaphroditos) was a child of Hermes and Aphrodite. The sex of Hermaphroditus is rendered very discreetly. The lower part of the body (including the hips and external genitals) is of a young man, while the upper part of the body (navel, breasts, prominent nipples, and the shape of the head and the hairstyle) is feminine. The idea of melancholy (common to all depictions of Hermaphroditus) is highlighted by the shape and drawing of the mouth. Marble. Hellenistic, 3rd century BCE. From Pergamon, Bergama, in modern-day Turkey. (Museum of Archaeology, Istanbul, Turkey).

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2018, May 12). Statue of Hermaphroditus from Pergamon. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8684/statue-of-hermaphroditus-from-pergamon/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Statue of Hermaphroditus from Pergamon." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified May 12, 2018. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8684/statue-of-hermaphroditus-from-pergamon/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Statue of Hermaphroditus from Pergamon." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 12 May 2018. Web. 22 Feb 2025.

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