Asclepius of Milos

Asclepius of Milos

The Asclepius of Milos on display in the British Museum
Material	Marble
Size	60 cm high
Created	325-300 BC
Present location	British Museum, London
Registration	1867,0508.115

The Asclepius of Milos or Asklepios of Melos is the name given to a marble head from what was once a colossal ancient Greek statue of Asclepius found on the island of Milos in Greece. It was acquired by the British Museum along with the rest of the Blacas collection in 1867.^[1]

^[2]

Discovery

The head was found in the mid nineteenth century at the shrine of Asclepius on the island of Milos in the Cyclades, Greece. It was later acquired by the French diplomat and collector Louis, Duke of Blacas. The Blacas collection was purchased in its entirety by the British Museum in 1867.

Description

This enormous head is made from Parian marble and was once part of a twice life-size cult statue of the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing Asclepius (or Asklepios). It was made from three pieces, only two of which are extant. Around the head are drill holes and lead pegs for a (now missing) gold wreath that once crowned the statue. The serene expression on the deity's face is typical of Hellenistic sculpture from this period. Asclepius would probably have been shown standing semi-nude, clasping a staff on one side with a serpent wrapped around it. Known as the Rod of Asclepius, it has now become the symbol of medicine worldwide.

Gallery

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  Alternative view of the head

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  Roman votive relief left at the shrine of Asclepius (100-200 AD)

References

Further reading

• S. Walker, Roman art (London, 1991)
• L. Burn, The British Museum book of Greek and Roman Art, revised edition (London, The British Museum Press, 1999)
• B. Ashmole, 'The poise of the Blacas head', Annual of the British School at Athens, 46 (1951), pp. 2–6