A team of archaeologists working in Montaione, near Florence, has uncovered a remarkable 1,700-year-old marble statuette of Hercules. Standing at just 50 centimeters tall, the intricately carved piece showcases the impressive craftsmanship of ancient Roman sculptors.
However, beyond its size and artistry, what makes this discovery truly exceptional is the depiction of a rarely represented feat from Hercules' Twelve Labors. The statuette was found in three broken pieces without its head, yet at its feet lies another head—that of the Cretan Bull, a creature deeply tied to Greek mythology.
A Rare Depiction of Hercules’ Seventh Labor
The Seventh Labor of Hercules—capturing the Cretan Bull—is one of the lesser-known episodes of the hero’s legendary trials and is rarely depicted in art.
According to myth, the Cretan Bull was a magnificent beast sent by Poseidon, the god of the sea, to King Minos of Crete as a test of devotion. Minos had vowed to sacrifice whatever Poseidon provided, but upon seeing the bull’s beauty, he decided to keep it and offered another in its place. In retaliation, Poseidon cursed the bull, driving it into a wild frenzy.
The rampaging beast wreaked havoc across Crete, destroying crops and terrifying locals. It was also the same bull that, under another mythological tale, Pasiphaë, the wife of Minos, was enchanted to fall in love with, leading to the birth of the Minotaur.
Hercules’ Battle with the Cretan Bull
To complete his labor, Hercules had to capture the bull and transport it alive to King Eurystheus in Tiryns. The task was not easy, as the beast was untamable.
The legendary hero set a trap, waiting patiently for the bull to approach. When it charged at him with its massive horns, Hercules swiftly threw a rope around it, subduing the creature with his great strength. After stunning the beast with his club, he tied its legs and transported it by ship back to Greece.
When Eurystheus saw the bull, he was so terrified that he immediately ordered it to be set free. The bull wandered through the Peloponnesus, eventually reaching Marathon in Attica, where it caused destruction until the hero Theseus finally defeated it.
A Unique Artistic Representation
While Hercules is often depicted performing his more famous labors—such as slaying the Nemean Lion in the renowned Farnese Hercules statue—his capture of the Cretan Bull is rarely shown in sculptures.
The presence of the bull’s head at the feet of Hercules in this newly discovered statuette is a significant and unique artistic detail, offering fresh insight into how ancient artists chose to interpret Greek myths.
“This discovery is truly exciting and reminds us that archaeology still holds many surprises,” said Antonella Ranaldi, the superintendent of Florence’s archaeological service, in an interview with Greek City Times.
“The statuette is nearly intact, consisting of three interlocking pieces. The depiction of the Cretan Bull at Hercules' feet is an unusual and fascinating detail.”
Discovery and Restoration
The statuette was found during a summer school excavation led by the SAGAS Department of the University of Florence. Under the guidance of Professor Elisabetta Neri, students discovered it within the ruins of an ancient Roman villa.
Once unearthed, the fragments were carefully transported to the University of Florence, where expert restorer Maura Masini meticulously restored them.
Nicknamed "The Hercules of Valdelsa," the statuette was briefly exhibited at the TourismA Cultural and Archaeological Exhibition from February 21–23. It will now be permanently housed in the Montaione Museum, where it will stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of Greek and Roman mythology.
