War Images

Statue of a wounded warrior, ca. 138–81 A.D.; Antonine
Roman copy of a Greek bronze statue, ca. 460–450B.C.
Marble

H. 87 in. (220.98 cm)

Hewitt Fund, 1925 (25.116)

This ancient copy is thought to have represented the Greek hero Protesilaus, son of Iphicles, during the Trojan war.  Protesilaus, a suitor of Helen, brought fourty ships back to Troy with him and was the first Greek to step ashore when the Greek fleet arrived at Troy . An oracle had stated that the first man to walk on the land after stepping off of a Greek ship during the Trojan war would be the first man to die.  He was indeed the first to be killed in battle by Hector. The statue is positioned in a way that looks as if the body is leaning, or injured, which is why the piece is believed to be Protesilaus. The foot placed in front may represent this warrior being the first to step ashore and the body is still standing tall and confident , showing that he was a great warrior. This scultpure shows that ancient Greeks  had a much more positive view on war unlike us  today. When a warrior was injured or killed in battle it showed courage and was honorable as where today dying in war is devistating. Ancient  war images such as this one show how views on war have changed over time and in different cultures.