The Lycosoura Demeter is a remnant of a colossal sculpture of Demeter, created by the sculptor Damophon in 180 BC for the Temple of Despoina in the ancient city of Lycosura, now Arcadia, Greece.
Overview
The Lycosoura Demeter is a remnant of a colossal sculpture of Demeter, created by the sculptor Damophon in 180 BC for the Temple of Despoina in the ancient city of Lycosura, now Arcadia, Greece.
It is part of a mini-pantheon prominent in the city, which also includes the goddess Artemis, the Titan Anytos, and the goddess Desponia, the "Mistress", whose true name remains unknown, according to the historian Pausanias, who catalogued the region in his book Description of Greece (Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις, Hellados Periegesis).
The cult statues was believed to be about 6 meters in height, and the depiction of the deities were also documented on Roman provincial currency issued by the city of Megalopolis.
The bust is currently housed by the National Archaeological Museum, alongside the bust of Artemis, designated NAMA 1734.
