Name:	Herm with the Head of Aristogeiton
Picture:
Description:	Roman copy from Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli. From the group of the Tyrannicides by Kritios and Nesiotes. Base by Pherekydes is modern. Madrid, Prado Museum. H. (original) 1.85m. The bust of a herm with the head of Aristogeiton, the elder of the Tyrannicides group by Kritios and Nesiotes. Aristogeiton has a severe expression, intent on the murder he is about to commit. He has a rounded beard, large eyes with heavy lids, and a strong, well-defined mouth. To some extent, this is more typical of the Archaic than the Classical style, and is thus known as the Severe style.
Date:	c. 475 B.C.
Discussion:	The original bronze group was erected in the Agora to serve as a focal point for national and civic pride and political consciousness following the Persian defeat of 480 B.C. The story of Harmodios and Aristogeiton and the killing of the Peisistritid Hipparchos (514 B.C.) can be found in Thucydides VI.53-4; Pliny NH 34.70; Pausanias I.8.5. See also Stewart 1990: 135-6, 251-2; 227-231 (ills.).