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Image
3D Model
© Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Barcelona
Omeka ID 2553
Villaricos
Protohistory and Iberian world

lord of horses, Despot Hippo

MAC BCN-019892

Object type
bas-relief
Production date
-300 / -100
Fabric
-
Museum
Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Barcelona
Culture
Protohistory and Iberian world
Discovery location
Villaricos
Materials
limestone
Township
Cuevas del Almanzora (Europa, Espanya, Andalusia, Almeria)
Technique
bas-relief
Where is it?
Reserva provisonal
Dimensions
310 x 380 x 180 mm
Description
Bas-relief from Villaricos (Cuevas del Almanzora, Low Almanzora, Almeria), dated between the third and second centuries BC, which shows the Iberian Despotés Híppôn. It is sculpted in a square limestone block. The god is represented from the front, sitting on a chair and holding the muzzles of two horses standing on their hind legs, each with one hand. The details of the mouth, eyes and hair of the god were highlighted with incisions, like the eyes and mane of the horse. Despotés Hippôn or ""Lord/Tamer of horses"" is one of the few deities known to have been worshipped by the Iberians, and characteristic of south-eastern Spain. Most representations, like this one from Villaricos, appear in open spaces outside the towns, places where they possibly bred horses. This animal symbolized the status of Iberian elites. NICOLINI, G. 1973, Les Ibères, art et civilisation, Fayard, Paris. EIROA, J.J. 1988, Los relieves del Potnios Hippôn de Lorca (Murcia), Espacio, Tiempo y Forma, Serie II, Hª Antigua, t. I, 105-115.

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