Hermaphroditus

3D Model

The Hellenistic taste for anything which was new, odd or mysterious is illustrated by the popularity of Hermaphroditos, son of the gods Hermes and Aphrodite.

THe water nymph Salmakis fell violently in love with the handsome youth but he rejected her. She eventually enticed him into the water and they became permanently united in the transsexual beeing which you see here. Hermaphroditus stood with his lower legs crossed and leaned on a stuff, bits of which are attached to his right arm. Long locks of hair fall down ver his shoulders. His ambiguous nature is expressed by the contrast between the softly moddeled body with breasts and the male sexual organ.

Marmer, c. 100-50 BC