Discobolus

The Discobolus is a marble replica of an ancient Greek statue depicting an athlete at the instant before releasing a discus, carved with precise anatomical detail. Standing on the Harvard Law School grounds, the figure captures the human body in a dynamic, twisted pose that freezes the moment of tension before movement.

The original Discobolus was created around 450 BC by sculptor Myron in bronze and stands as one of the most celebrated works of classical sculpture. This marble copy was produced during Roman times and represents one of several reproductions made from the ancient original.

The statue shows a moment from Greek athletic competition, capturing how the body moves in space through careful artistic composition. This representation reflects how ancient Greeks valued both physical training and artistic expression.

The statue stands outdoors on the Harvard Law School grounds and is freely accessible to visitors year-round. Take time to walk around it and view it from different angles, as the twisted pose of the figure looks distinct from each perspective.

The statue displays mathematical precision in how the limbs are arranged, revealing how ancient Greeks constructed the human form according to specific proportions. This deliberate geometric planning often goes unnoticed at first glance but becomes clear when observing the position of each body part more carefully.

Location: Cambridge

GPS coordinates: 42.37713,-71.11937

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:57