Bronze Youth with Spear

This Hellenistic bronze (2nd c. BC), found in Rome, shows a young man in heroic nudity, the visual language of leaders and demi-gods. His relaxed contrapposto, short beard, and athletic build recall works by Lysippos, sculptor of Alexander the Great. The spear (a modern replacement) completes the image of poised authority. Likely a prince or elite figure admired in Rome, the statue exemplified Greek idealism to Roman elite.