© British Museum
Statuette of Socrates
Artist: Greek
Location: British Museum
Date: circa 200 BC-100 AD
Materials: Parian marble
Dimensions: 27.5cm
Grant:
Amount Paid: £400 (Total: £1,225)
Review number: 491 (1925)
Provenance:
Found at Alexandria.
Description:
This piece is the only known full length figure of Socrates. The statuette dates from at least two centuries after Socrates' death (399 BCE) and presents an idealized figure of benevolence, equanimity and deep thought - somewhat of a departure from written depictions of this philosopher. Records describe Socrates as portly, pug-nosed and fleshy-lipped and somewhat resembling a satyr. Socrates was put to death by drinking hemlock on charges of introducing new and strange gods into the state religion and of corrupting youth. However his lasting legacy is his pursuit of underlying truths of knowledge through rational thought.
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