Group of Aphrodite, Pan, and Eros

The Group of Aphrodite, Pan, and Eros is a statue of Parian marble from around 100 BCE. It depicts Aphrodite defending herself with a sandal from the pursuits and advances of the god Pan, a satyr, while her son, the god Eros, flies around them, grasping one of Pan’s horns, in an attempt to help Aphrodite. Pan’s stance with one leg behind Aphrodite and one in front, with one hand holding her wrist and the other on her back demonstrates his attempt to hold her there, showing an unwillingness from Aphrodite to engage in this interaction with him. Her body language further demonstrates this as she seems to be turning away from him in her attempt to get away. The sculptor is unknown, however the inscription on the base of the statue indicates the person it was dedicated by, stating “Διονύσιος Zήνωνος του Θεοδώρου / Bηρύττιος, ευεργέτης, υπέρ εαυτου / καί των τέκνων, θεοις πατρώοις” which is translated into English as “Dionysios, son of Zenon of Theodoros, from Beirut, benefactor, dedicated (the statue), in favour of himself and of his children, to the [ancestral] gods” (inscription and translation from the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Greece). This statue is currently held in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece but was originally from Delos, Greece, and was found in the “House of the Poseidoniastai of Beryttos” in Delos.

Medium: Parian marble

Dimensions: 1.55 m tall, including base

Location: The National Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece

Date: 100 BCE

Creator unknown, inscription indicates that it was dedicated by Dionysios of Beryttos