Greek archaeologists discover Aristotle bust near Acropolis

Monsters and Critics ^ | Oct 25, 2006 | Sapa-AFP

[SunkenCiv]

A Roman-era bust of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle found beneath the Acropolis in Athens has confirmed some contemporary reports attesting to his hooked nose, a senior archaeologist told AFP on Tuesday.

The 46cm marble bust of the famous philosopher who lived over 2300 years ago and taught Alexander the Great is "the best-preserved likeness ever found", archaeologist Alkestis Horemi said.

"This is the only bust portraying the philosopher with a hooked nose in line with ancient descriptions," said Horemi, who supervises archaeological and conservation work at the Acropolis site.

Out of 19 other known Roman-era busts of Aristotle in existence, some show the philosopher's nose as straight or upturned, Horemi said, adding that these works are copies of earlier Greek originals.

Dating from the late first century AD, the latest bust was found during excavation work that preceded the construction of Greece's new Acropolis Museum, situated near the south of the ancient citadel.

A representation of a bearded, resolute-faced man in his sixties, the bust had probably adorned a Roman villa, Horemi said.

The excavation work for the new Acropolis Museum also unearthed two more Roman-era marble busts, one probably representing a priest and another depicting the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138 AD and was a avid admirer of Classical Greece.

[SunkenCiv]

The bust dates from 300+ years after Aristotle, so the actual model who sat for it was probably some street drunk who needed the money. :')

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A handout photograph showing a Roman-era marble bust of Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), Athens, Tuesday 24 October 2006. The 46-centimetre (18-inch) bust, an excellently preserved likeness of the 4th century philosopher, was unearthed during recent archaeological excavations at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens. EPA/ALK. HOREMI / HANDOUT

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[SunkenCiv]

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[Pyro7480]

Nice!

[Dustbunny]

The best is in really great condition.

[Dustbunny]

LOL..... sorry, best s/b bust

[SunkenCiv]

No problem, it's not like you've lost your marbles.

[rimshot!]

[Dustbunny]

LOL.... you can't really be sure of that.

[SunkenCiv]

:')

[Ciexyz]

Cool! Another link to Alexander the Great.

[Stag_Man]

Wow, what a great find! The talent of ancient Greek sculptors never ceases to amaze me. So is so wonderful to have a face to one of the greatest thinkers of all time.

[Tijeras_Slim]

"The Acropolis? That's in Belgium?"

[leilani]

The link & picture don't work for me. Is it me or is their site down?

[eleni121]

BUMP!

[leilani]

Never mind. It works now.

[litehaus]

"The Acropolis? That's in Belgium?"

Ah,cum'on...you know you 'catch that from Greeks.'.....;^)

[SunkenCiv]

The bust dates from 300+ years after Aristotle.

[Stag_Man]

Doh

[Stag_Man]

The London Underground is not a political movement and the central message of Buddhism is not "every man for himself".

[Tijeras_Slim]

Don't call me STUPID!

[RightWhale]

A botanist who knew the names of maybe 20% of the plants growing in his own garden.