Herm with an inscription linking it to the Hermes Propylaios by Alcamenes; the head may not belong t
Herm with an inscription linking it to the Hermes Propylaios by Alcamenes; the head may not belong to the inscribed shaft, 5th century BC; copy: 2nd century AD. Inscription: [Εἱδήσεις Ἀλκαμένεως | Περίκαλλες ἄγαλμα | Ἑρμᾶν τὸν Προπυλαίων | εἴσατο Περγάμιος. ‖ Γνῶθι σέαυτον.] [You will recognize the extremely beautiful image by Alkamenes, the Hermes before the Gates (Propylaios). Pergamios set it up.]A herma (Ancient Greek: ἑρμῆς, pl. ἑρμαῖ hermai), commonly in English herm, is a sculpture with a head, and perhaps a torso, above a plain, usually squared lower section, on which male genitals may also be carved at the appropriate height.Before his role as protector of merchants and travelers, Hermes was a phallic god, associated with fertility, luck, roads and borders. His name comes from the word herma referring to a square or rectangular pillar of stone, terracotta, or bronze; a bust of Hermes’ head, usually with a beard, sat on the top of the pillar, and male genitals adorned the base. In Athens, the hermai were most numerous and most venerated, they were placed outside houses as apotropes for good luck. They would be rubbed or anointed with olive oil and adorned with garlands or wreaths. -- source link
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