Biton, Archaic Greek Statue

Biton, Argive youth

Delphi Museum

Archaic Period, c. 610-580 BCE

2.15m (7ft) tall

 

One of a pair of large kouroi (statues of youths) dedicated by the Argives (the people living near Sparta) to the god Apollo in his sanctuary at Delphi.

 

These statues mark the very beginning of the archaic period of Greek art. They have a slightly stiff and stylized posture, geometric simplification, enigmatic smiles, large almond-shaped eyes, and hair woven into dreadlocks or stylized, regular curls.

 

©2005 Ellen Brundige

For the myth of Biton and his brother Kleobis (plus another photo), see my Ancient Greek Odyssey: A Traveller's Journal Part IV.

 

For more information on Kouroi, see this excellent page on kouroi by Minott Kerr.

Done