Unearthing the Greek Gods in Athens

Digging for the past is not necessarily the exclusive domain of archaeologists as workers recently discovered whilst digging a trench to lay natural gas pipelines in central Athens

In what can only be described as a glorious encounter with antiquity the utility workers unearthed a white marble statue in a one metre wide pit at the junction of Erechthiou and Kallisperi Streets, near the famous Odeon of Herodes Atticus Theatre (Herodeon), located on the southern slopes of the Acropolis.

Archaeologists from the Antiquities Ephorate were called to the scene and after a preliminary investigation it became apparent that the sculpture was a well-preserved sculptured torso of the Ancient Greek God, Hermes. The next day more Roman-era archeological objects were uncovered, including fragments of sculptures, which archaeologists believe are likely linked to the statue of Hermes.

The life-size Hermes was found placed sideways, on its right side, as well as marble fragments of sculpted human limbs, upper and lower limbs, which most likely come from the impressive statue of Hermes.

Encased within a rectangular brick structure, the remarkably well-preserved sculpture was uncovered in an area known during the imperial era for its opulent urban villas and philosophy schools built by the rich bourgeois of the period, and adorned with intricate mosaic floors and statues crafted in the renowned Neo-Attic workshops.

A second statue, also depicting a life-size male figure, was found placed to the right side of Hermes.

The main statue is considered to resemble the Hermes Ludovisi, also formerly known as Mercurio Oratore ("Mercury the Orator"), a Hellenistic sculpture of the god in the form of Hermes Psychopompus which is attributed to the master sculptor, Phidias, the sculptor of the Parthenon, or of an artist of his school.

The model is among the earliest sculptural representations of Hermes as beardless and youthful. It was acquired by the Roman Catholic Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi and became a celebrated part of the self-titled Ludovisi collection.

The Greek archaeologist and former head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, Eleni Banou, attributes the connection of the statue of Hermes to the wider history of the area, declaring:

“For the archaeological community, the discovery of such a statue is not a surprise. The buildings that were located south of the Herodion, during the imperial era, were not just houses but philosophical schools. In them, the directors were accustomed to place statues of Gods … Among these buildings, the house of the Neoplatonic philosopher Proclus stands out, with which I consider it very likely that the statue of Hermes was found there.  The fact that the statue was found in good condition is very important because something like this is rare. So this is a discovery of great archaeological and social value precisely because it is within this broader context of the philosophical schools of the time."

This is not the first time that the fleet footed messenger of the gods has been discovered in modern day Athens.

In November 2020 workers carrying out sewage works in central Athens discovered a well-preserved bust of the ancient god.  According to the Greek Culture Ministry, the head appeared to date back to around 300 BC.   The Archaic bust was regarded as rare in its portrayal because it depicted Hermes at a mature age whereas most of his caricatures depict him as youthful and athletic, without a beard.

Stephen Fry in his book, Heroes, refers to Hermes as the Messenger of the Gods and Arch Psychopomp or ‘chief conductor of the souls’,  as the important dead were granted the honour of a personal escort by Hermes to (and from) the Underworld.   As Fry notes, everything about Hermes was quick.  His mind.  His wit, his impulses and his reflexes.

Hermes was also the possessor of the distinctive caduceus (winged staff), petasos (winged helmet) and talaria (winged sandals).  According to Fry, these items lent Hermes a touch of grandeur and showed the world that this pert and handsome youth represented the "dread majesty of the gods".

Ironically, this is reflected in the Parthenon Sculptures which are currently on display in the British Museum as part of the controversial Elgin Collection.  The East Frieze features Hermes as one of the seated gods, holding his petassos upon his knees and wearing his winged boots.

One of the famous pedimental sculptures in the British Museum is also that of Hermes, from the West Pediment, that is longing to be reunited in Athens.

Hermes also features in the East Metope of the Parthenon which, although partly disfigured through the ravages of time, is thought to depict the Gigantomachy, the battle between the Olympian gods and the Giants.  In East Metope 1 (which is actually in the Acropolis Museum) Hermes is depicted grabbing a fallen Giant by the hair and getting ready to slay him with his sword.

That Hermes has resurfaced in Athens is an exciting development that directly engages with Athens' glorious past.

But, is it also a subtle message from the gods that the eventual reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures is pre-ordained and that the Arch Psychopomp will finally lead his fellow sculptured souls back to Athens from the caverns of the British Museum?

Only the gods can tell.

George Vardas is the Arts and Culture Editor.