The text discusses the Hermathena, a statue combining Hermes and Minerva, suitable for an academic setting. It explains that these statues were akin to pedestals with interchangeable heads. The text also explores famous colossal statues, highlighting their impressive sizes and craftsmanship.
On the Human Figure.
Minerva, placed on the same pedestal. (Letters of Cicero to Atticus, Book I, Letter 2.) What you wrote to me about your Hermathena gave me great pleasure: it is a very suitable ornament for our Academy, because Hermes is common to all sciences, and this Academy is especially dedicated to Minerva. The Hermathenas resembled other statues of Hermes; they were pedestals rather than statues, with heads that could be changed; and when the heads of Mercury and Minerva were placed together, they were called Hermathenas: this name being composed of two Greek words, Ἑρμῆς (Hermes), Mercurius, and Ἀθηνᾶ (Athena), Minerva.
The most famous colossi.
For the boldness of the size of the figures, there are countless examples, as we see that enormous masses of statues called colossal have been imagined, which are equal to towers. Such is the Apollo at the Capitol, brought from the city of Apollonia in the Pontus, by Mr. Lucullus. It is thirty cubits high and cost 500 talents (1). Such is the Jupiter in the Field of Mars, consecrated by Cl. Caesar, and called Pompeian, because it is near the theater of that name. Such is the one of Tarentum, made by Lysippus: it is forty cubits. What is astonishing is that, by its perfect balance, it can reportedly be moved with one hand.
(1) Two million three hundred fifty thousand pounds.
Translation Notes:
- "Hermathena" refers to a statue joining elements of Hermes and Athena. The text provides the Greek origins of the name.
- "Cubits" is an ancient measure of length, approximately equal to the length of a forearm.