Samos Archaeological Museum & the colossal Kouros sculpture.

A Kouros statue, standing 4.75 meters tall and crafted between 580-560 BC by a Samian artist from grey-veined marble, was likely sourced from the Manolates quarries near Karlovasi on the island’s north. Areas of the figure were highlighted with red and ochre-coloured paint, traces of which are still visible.

The statue is known as the “Isches Kouros” due to the inscription chiseled vertically on the front of the left thigh, which states:

Ἴσχης ἀνέθηκεν ὀ ῾Ρήσιος

“Isches son of (or of the tribe of) Rhesios dedicated me.”

Inscription IG XII,6 2:560.

Several authors have pointed out that this advertisement by the donor, would have been conveniently at eye level to impress those who saw the statue.

It was among possibly 5 or 6 equally large Kouros statues erected along the north side of the 6 km long Sacred Way, which led from the ancient city of Samos (today Pythagorio) to the Sanctuary of Hera (Heraion), the island’s patron goddess. The south side of the Sacred Way was lined with inscribed decrees.

Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/p/Czy4Yiro4Ke/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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