Statue of Diagoras, Rhodes, Bronze statue in Rhodes, Greece
The Statue of Diagoras is a bronze monument in Rhodes that depicts three figures: an older man being lifted by two younger ones. The composition captures the moment of support and celebration within a family after a major athletic achievement.
The statue was created by artist Iraklis Xanthopoulos and honors Diagoras from the 5th century before Christ, a famous Olympic boxing champion. He won titles at multiple major games of the ancient world.
The monument shows how athletic success and family honor were deeply connected in the ancient world, and how athletes held a high place in society. The three figures together tell the story of the pride a family felt when sharing victories.
The monument is located near Archbishop Chrysanthus Square and is easy to reach while exploring the city. Access is somewhat limited, so visitors with mobility concerns should keep this in mind when planning their visit.
The older man is shown clothed while the two younger men are depicted without clothing, reflecting how athletes actually competed in ancient games. This way of showing them was common in ancient art and emphasizes the difference between the generations.
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