Man has no Body distinct from his Soul:

for that called Body is a portion of a Soul

discerned by the five senses,

the chief inlets of Soul in this age.

-William Blake-

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Cet article est disponible en français.

Questo post è disponibile anche in italiano.

The Discobolus by Myron is one of the most famous statues of the ancient world.

This marble version is housed in the Museo Nazionale Romano di Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (Roman National Museum), next to the main train station Roma Termini. It is probably the best conserved version of theìis composition.

The museum of Palazzo Massimo is a real shrine of roman gems as like several statues and wall paintings: one of the best museums ever!

Found in 1781 in the Esquilino area (during the imperial period occupied with villas and gardens), it is considerend as the most similar to the original; it is, in fact, a copy of a bronze sculpture, executed by the greek artist Myron at the end of Severe period (450 B.C. circa).

During the roman period the Discobolus became so famous to be replicated several times: that’s why we actually have so many versions in different museums!

In 1938, the Lancellotti Discobolus were bought by Adolf Hitler from the previous owner, the Prince Lancellotti; taken to Germany, it was displayed in Munich’s Glyptothek. This operation wouldn’t have been possible, because forbidden by italian law; for this reason, the sculpture of the Discobolus was finally given back to Italy after World War II, in 1948, to be displayed in Palazzo Massimo museum.

Info:

The Roman National Museum (Museo Nazionale Romano) is composed by three great museums:

• Palazzo Massimo
• Terme di Diocleziano
• Palazzo Altemps
• Crypta Balbi

The entrance ticket (8 euro) is valid for 3 days and allows to visit all them.