Cleobis and Biton in Archaeological Museum in Delphi, Greece - Encircle Photos

18 Cleobis and Biton in Archaeological Museum in Delphi, Greece

The statues of Cleobis and Biton were created by sculptor Polymedes of Argos in 580 BC. They were described by Athenian statesmen Solon (630 – 560 BC) when asked by Lydia King Croesus (reign 560 – 546 BC) who were the happiest people on earth. According to the legend, the brothers acted like oxen by pulling their mother’s cart six miles to the Hera temple. Upon their arrival, the queen of the ancient gods rewarded the men by having them die in their sleep. The moral of the story was a person’s true happiness cannot be determined until after their death. Sculptures of nude, young and muscular men first appeared in Greece during the Archaic Period (8th century BC until 480 BC). This genre of artwork is known as kouros figures.

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Cleobis and Biton in Archaeological Museum in Delphi, Greece

Archaeological Museum, Delphi 330 54, Greece

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