Bronzi antichi dall'Adriatico: una statua di Polydeukion da Punta del Serrone (Brindisi)

The underwater excavations carried out in 1992 at Punta del Serrone - a site in the S Adriatic sea, located about 2 km N of Brindisi - yielded up a rich complex of bronze statues in fragmentary conditions, dating from the 4th c. BC to the 2nd c. AD. These sculptures display a high stylistic quality and a great typological variety (gods, Greek philosophers, prominent individuals, members of the imperial family). Of central importance among these bronze works is a life-size statue representing Polydeukion, the favourite pupil of the Athenian sophist Herodes Atticus. Polydeukion died prematurely and was honoured by Herodes as a hero. Images of the boy were located at various sites in Greece, both in villas owned by Herodes Atticus and in the public buildings which he commissioned or restored. Of a portrait type securely associated with Polydeukion at least 25 replicas exist, making Polydeukion the most commonly portrayed private figure under the principate and one of the best expressions of art in the 2nd c. A.D. The image of Polydeukion discovered at Punta del Serrone is very important, since it is the only extant bronze portrait statue of the boy. Polydeukion is portrayed wearing a chiton (tunica) and the himation, in the typical attire of a young citizen and intellectual, perhaps like “the hero of Herodes” mentioned by the inscription on a base of a Delphic statue of his: a hero of paideia.