Charioteer of Delphi

Charioteer of Delphi is called one of the best preserved original bronze statues of Greek antiquity. The 1.80 meter tall statue was found in 1896 in the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, near the Temple of Apollo. It is located in the Archaeological Museum of Delphi.

The statue was made ​​in the hollow casting process and assembled from seven separately -molded parts. It was found in three parts: upper body including head, right arm and lower body. The left arm and details of the head as the copper layer of the lips and the largest part of silver eyelashes were missing. The statue is one of the few surviving copies, whose colored glass flow deposits of the eyes are preserved.

The figure depicts a charioteer represents the Ephebenalter, which is a long, belted under the bust robe, the Xystis the charioteer, wearing. Two guided around the shoulders straps cross on the back of the garment and prevented the swelling of the substance during the chariot race. The finely cast folds of the garment at the shoulders, arms and chest are in marked contrast to the deep drawn tube folds of the lower garment section. To the slightly twisted to his right head is placed a decorated with Zinnenmäander and crosses headband. The right hand holds the remains of the reins for a team of horses, some of the horses and wagon parts still remain. The reconstruction of the vehicle combination and positioning of the horse is disputed, but included at least four horses and probably two horse leader.

The parts of the sculpture were combined with the limestone base on which the group was set up, found. The dedicatory inscription preserved calls Polyzalos of Gela as the founder of the Weihgeschenks that needs to be created thus 478-474 BC. As firmly dated monument of the charioteer is one of the key works of the Severe Style.

The four-horse chariot and the charioteer himself were buried in the landslide caused by an earthquake in the year 373 AD and damaged, in this state, but also preserved for posterity. Because they were not like many other statues for weapons melted.