The Bull of Oreoi

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This exquisite, bulky sculpture, that presently is exhibited in a protective glass case behind the temple of the Savior, near the port of Oreoi, was found in August of 1965 buried in the coast of the town. It belongs to the Hellenistic period and is 3,2m long. The weight of the exhibit, which is made of marble from Thasos, is over six tons. Only the bottom limbs and horns haven’t been saved.

The latter were obviously constructed with some precious metal and removed during a raid that took place against the city (possibly by the Romans and Attala). The sculpture is made of three compact pieces. The front muscles are depicted by means of great carving. Three folds in the neck of the animal depict the swerve of the animal’s head in an offensive stance. The statue was positioned on a pedestal and dates back to between 290 and 280 BC. Researchers connect its existence with that of a temple in the area, considered it a dedication by Demetrius the Conqueror with specific visually political meaning, implying the reconstitution of the Commonwealth of the Evians with this Macedonian leader.

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