Greek Classical Sculpture

Head of Iris

The original marble head, after which this cast was taken, was found built into a Byzantine wall to the southwest of the Acropolis. Iris, who has also been identified variously as Hebe or Nike, attended the enthroned Hera who sat beside her consort, Zeus, within an Assembly of the Gods flanking a ceremony usually described as the Peplos Ceremony (see Two Female Attendants in the Peplos Ceremony, 442-438 BCE, below). Block 5 from the east frieze is in the British Museum, with the exception of this head of Iris, which has always remained in Athens.