Statue of Hercules in Behistun

The Statue of Hercules in Behistun, Iran, is an important archaeological site that features a rock sculpture from the Seleucid period, dating to 148 BCE. This statue, carved on Mount Behistun, represents the Greek hero Hercules, known locally as Herakles Kallinikos. It was commissioned by a Seleucid governor to honor a satrap, reflecting the cultural assimilation of Greek and Iranian religious elements during this era. Measuring 1.47 meters in length, the statue is positioned on a 2-meter platform, depicting Hercules reclining with a bowl in his left hand and a club carved in relief behind him. Greek and Aramaic inscriptions accompany the sculpture, attesting to its historical and cultural significance. The site underscores the blend of Greek and Iranian influences in ancient art and religious practices during the Seleucid control of the Iranian Plateau.