A group of small-sized sculptures depicting twin gods Artemis and Apollo will be presented by the Chania Ephorate of Antiquities on Wednesday, 24 July.
The presentation, at Crete’s Archaeological Museum, is considered important due to the artistic quality of the finds dated back to the second half of the 1st to the beginning of the 2nd century AD. They were discovered in the framework of systematic excavations carried under the direction of archaeologist Vanna Niniou-Kindeli at a Roman home of the ancient Aptera. Funded by the Region of Crete, the finds will be exhibited for the first time at Chania Archaeological Museum’s permanent collection and will be part of the museum’s permanent collection.
READ MORE: Sanctuary of Artemis unearthed in Evia
According to the announcement: “Artemis, the protector goddess of Aptera, has been made of copper, while her twin brother Apollo, is made of marble. The goddess stands on an elaborate box-shaped copper base and is depicted in intense stride, wearing a short, slender chiton and she is ready to shoot. Although Apollo is depicted in a more modest way, his attitude conveys internal tension.”
The statues are believed to have been imported to the Roman luxury home they adorned from artistic centres outside Crete.