Troilos and Achilles: A Monumental Statue Group from Aphrodisias

A monumental marble statue group from Aphrodisias, depicting the mythological figures Troilos and Achilles, has been identified as a rare surviving example of Hellenistic-style art. The discovery reveals a daring composition that had previously fallen and been restored in antiquity, offering new insights into classical statuary and its endurance through Late Antiquity. The horse and rider were originally part of a public monument from the early imperial period but were later moved to the Basilica at Aphrodisias around the mid-fourth century AD. Researchers reconstructed the group's original form and setting using archaeological evidence, epigraphy, and iconographic analysis, linking it to literary representations of the myth. This study highlights both the artistic innovation of the statue and its cultural significance across centuries.

Smith, R. R. R., & Hallett, C. H. (2015). Troilos and Achilles: A Monumental Statue Group from Aphrodisias. Journal of Roman Studies, 105, 124–182. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0075435815000994