Herakles Bas-Relief from from Dura-Europos in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 2008

Heracles Sculptures

Among the Greek gods worshiped at Dura-Europos, Heracles was extremely popular. Throughout the Hellenized East, his image was assimilated into representations of local deities. Many of the Heracles sculptures at Dura were found in private houses, a fact that has led to the suggestion that he was believed to have protective powers and the ability to ward off evil.

Herakles bas-relief
Alabaster (gypsum)
Syria, excavated at Dura-Europos, Temple of Atargatis, 2nd century AD.

Joint expedition of Yale University and the French Academy of Inscriptions and Letters, 1928-37

On loan to the Metropolitan Museum from the Yale University Art Gallery, Accession # L.1999.66.22

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.