Statue of the young man of Marathon, a bronze hollow casting statue attributed to the artist Praxiteles, original size 1.3 m.
The following link will take you directly to the exhibit of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens (in the last third, please scroll down to the illustrations):
www.namuseum.gr/en/collection/klasiki-periodos-2/
This statue probably depicts the messenger of the gods Hermes. Originally probably the stone (Herme) erected on a heap of stones along the path - Hermes grch. Hermes, as god of the way, was an expert guide to all hikers and shepherds, including the souls on their way to the underworld.
He was often depicted as the messenger of the gods with a herald's staff (Kerykeion) and a winged hat; on his sandals were talarion (little wings).
As the god of trade and the market, he also protected the merchants. Its Roman counterpart was Mercury.
The figure was discovered in 1926 in the bay of Marathon, an ancient place on the east coast of Attica.
National Archaeological Museum Athens, Inventory No. 15118, dated 330 - 325 BC. Statue reduced in size as replica, material polyester in bronze finish, with black marble base.
