Statue of Hercules in Behistun

Statue of Hercules (Persian: تندیس هرکول) is located in Mount Behistun, Iran. It was discovered around 1957. The statue was sculpted in 153 BCE for a governor of the Seleucid Empire or the Parthian Empire. Hercules is lying on a 2 m long platform and holds a bowl in his left hand. He has put his right hand on his foot. The statue is 1.47 m long and is attached to the mountain. The head of the statue was stolen twice, but discovered again in 1996. However, the current head is a double and the actual head is in Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization. At the time it was discovered, he had a penis, but after the Islamic Revolution (1979) it was broken down by locals.

Statue of Hercules in Behistun

Herakles at Behistun, sculpted for a Seleucid Governor in 148 BCE.

City of Kushinagar in the 5th century BCE according to a 1st-century BCE frieze in Sanchi Stupa 1 Southern Gate.

Dedicatory inscription of Herakles[1]
(Behistun, 153 BCE)

Translation	Inscription (original Greek script)	Original inscription
In the year 164 (of the Seleucid era) in the month of Panemos (June) [set this statue of] Herakles Kallinikos ("Hercules glorious in victory") did Hyakinthos, son of Pantauchos, for the safety of Kleomenes, Commander of the Upper Satrapies, of the satraps.	ἔτους δξρ᾽, μηνὸς Πανήμου, Ἡρακλῆν Καλλίνικον Ὑάκινθος Πανταύχου ὑπὲ[ρ] τῆς Κλεομένου τοῦ ἐπὶ τῶν ἄνω σ[ατρ]απειῶν σωτηρίας τῶν σατραπῶν	Herakles inscription at Behistun

References

1. HIB Greek text – Parthian Sources Online.

• Persian Wikipedia