Iniochos: the statue that has survived the centuries thanks to a great earthquake
Iniochos, the statue that has survived the centuries thanks to a great earthquake. It is 1.80 high and was found buried by French archaeologists in Delphi
In 1896, French archaeologists excavated the Oracle of Delphi as part of the "Great Excavation" begun in 1892 by the French school in Athens. In the process, they discovered a large statue that was in excellent condition despite the passage of time.
It was the first real life-size bronze statue of the classical era. Near it, they found two hind legs of a horse, a tail, parts of the yoke of a chariot, and a child's hand with remnants of reins. It was buried after the great earthquake that struck Delphi in 373 BC. The fall of the rocks buried it underground, where it remained for many centuries. This was the reason why it escaped the subsequent depredations of the Romans and the raids.
In the statue's original form, the chariot was pulled by four horses.
Since its discovery, the Iniochos has been in a prominent place and is considered the most important exhibit in the Museum of Delphi. It stands six feet tall and is displayed in the museum hall, which is painted yellow. In the statue's original form, the chariot, probably drawn by four horses, had two riders and two children holding the reins. The youth, of noble descent, wears a long tunic. A wide belt is wrapped around his waist. The belt crosses on the back of the tunic, which has deep grooves.
Iniochos was a chariot winner and enjoys the applause of the audience.
The young man stands with a rigid posture and his face looks calm and full of happiness. He has just won the chariot race and therefore wears the winning foil in his head. He appears after the race, the moment he makes the triumphant lap around the track. His eyes are brown and have black stones - a symbol of morality and balance. He has a half-open mouth, in which silver teeth appear.
The Iniochios who participated in the Panhellenic races were youth of noble descent and drove chariots and horses that belonged to aristocrats.
The statue was dedicated to the god Apollo by the tyrant of Gela, Polyzalos, son of Deinomenis, for the victory of his brother Ieronas in the chariot race at Pythia feast in 478 or 474 BC. Archaeologists have not yet determined the identity of the artist. The prevailing version is that the creator was the famous sculptor of the 5th century BC, Pythagoras Regius from Samos, who lived in exile in the region of Calabria. The statue is the most famous exhibit of Delphi - it was removed from there during the occupation to escape destruction and deportation by the Germans. After its release, it returned to Delphi and today adorns the last room of the museum.