Greek archaeologists have unearthed a stunning Roman-era statue of Hercules dating back nearly 2,000 years.
The statue of Hercules – or Heracles, as he is known in Greece, dating back to the 2nd century AD was unearthed during an archaeological dig at a site that was once the ancient city of Philippi, located in northern Greece, between the Strymon and Nestos rivers, with the dig being completed on Friday, 16th September.
(Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports/Newsflash)
(Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports/Newsflash)
Newsflash obtained a statement from the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports saying that “the excavation research carried out by the team of the Aristotle University in Philippi, with the director of the excavation Professor Natalia Poulos and collaborators Assistant Professor Anastasios Tantsis and Emeritus Professor Aristotle Menzos, was completed.”
The ministry said that 24 students, including 18 undergraduates, three postgraduates and three PhD candidates took part in the excavation.
The statement said that the statue is “larger than life” and “depicts Hercules naked with a youthful body”.
The experts said that the statue had a vine wreath on its head and is located by the remains of a building that was built later, in the 8th or 9th century AD.
The experts added: “This find demonstrates the way public spaces were decorated in the important cities of the Byzantine Empire, including Philippi.”
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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