The nude, beardless hero on the left side of the relief embraces the Nemean lion in a headlock under his arm. The lion presses his head against Herakles' waist, bites the left thigh of the hero's bent leg, and attempts to extract himself from the deadly grasp by beating or scratching the hero's left upper calf with his extended forepaw. The agonizing moment has been caught by the artist, as expressed in the closing eyes. The mane is arranged in sickle-shaped tufts. Herakles' fleshy body evokes the anatomy of a young boy; his adulthood is, however, demonstrated by the pubic hair, the upper border of which is marked by a fine incised horizontal line above the genitals.
The hair consists of a simple row of buckle-shaped locks framing the forehead and covering the ears. His beardless face betrays a calm countenance, not quite appropriate in a scene of such an extreme strain. To the left of Herakles is a plant with cut branches, serving as a hanger for his club, which is useless in the combat under consideration.
The piece is intact apart from a chipped genital area and partially worn facial features. The surface is entirely covered by a thin dark brown patina.
Provenance: as-Suwaydāʾ. Acquired by the Museum on february 27, 1946.
Era: second to third century CE.
Substance: basalt.
Dimensions: H 85 cm, W 63 cm.
Text: adapted from Weber (p 106).
Collection: National Museum of Damascus.
Thomas M. Weber. Sculptures from Roman Syria in the Syrian National Museum of Damascus. Vol I, from Cities and Villages in Central and Southern Syria. Wernersche Verlagsgesellschaft. Worms. 2006.
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