Fragment of a Head of Zeus [Cat.-no. 1] 

Figs. IV. 1-4

Jerash, Department of Antiquities, storage room of the office beside the Artemis-temple, without inv.-no.

From Gerasa / Jerash, found in the northern hall (basilica) of the eastern baths, recent excavations (ca. in 2006-2007).

The head is irregularly broken in the neck, the entire face with the right cheek, the forepart with the frontal and lateral sectors of the coiffure are battered. Many cracks in the brakes. At the rear part, the left compartment of the long hair is lost. A thin transparent patina covers the surface, in the drilled groves remains sits browning incrustation. The workmanship upon the head and at the nape is neglected.

White-greyish, medium to fine-grained marble.
H 31 cm; W 22 cm, D 21 cm.

The fragment represents the rear part of a bearded upright head hearing a thin fillet on the scull. Long S-shaped curls with enrolled tips, point-drilled in the centres, cover the left temple and fall in four layers down to the shoulders. Each strand is separated from the other by a thick drilling grove. The short cheek beard consists of small buckles, all indicated in the same technique as the frontal hair. The wavy strands on the upper head and in the nape of the neck are more sketch-like in execution.

End of 2nd or begin of 3rd century AD.
Bibl.: unpublished.

Fig. IV. 1 Fragment of a Head (Zeus-Asklepios?), Jerash, Department of Antiquities, storage room of the office beside the Artemis-temple,without inv.-no. (Cat.-no.1).

Fig. IV. 2 Fragment of a Head (Zeus-Asklepios?), Jerash, Department of Antiquities, storage room of the office beside the Artemis-temple,without inv.-no. (Cat.-no.1).

Fig. IV. 3 Fragment of a Head (Zeus-Asklepios?), Jerash, Department of Antiquities, storage room of the office beside the Artemis-temple,without inv.-no. (Cat.-no.1).

Fig. IV. 4 Fragment of a Head (Zeus-Asklepios?), Jerash, Department of Antiquities, storage room of the office beside the Artemis-temple,without inv.-no. (Cat.-no.1).

Fig. IV. 5 Bearded head of Zeus-Asklepios, Bait Shemmesh, Excavation storage, from Paneas / Caesarea Philippi.

Fig. IV. 6 Bearded head of Zeus-Asklepios, Bait Shemmesh, Excavation storage, from Paneas / Caesarea Philippi.