Marble head from a statue of Harmodios 1 - 199

This is a marble head from a statue of Harmodios, created by Kritios and Nesiotes. Harmodios, along with Aristogeiton, was central to a narrative of Athenian democracy, celebrated for their act of tyrannicide against the ruling Peisistratid family. Yet, this representation is more than a symbol of liberty; it’s a carefully constructed image of masculine virtue. The smooth marble, the measured features, and the serene expression, all speak to an ideal of beauty deeply entwined with power and civic duty. Harmodios and Aristogeiton were lovers. This intimacy was often glossed over in favor of the patriotic story, reminding us how sexuality and politics were interwoven in ancient Greek society. Consider that behind the celebration of these figures lies the silencing of other voices. What stories are left untold in this heroic narrative? What does it mean to memorialize individuals whose actions are rooted in a complex web of political and personal motivations?