A marble statue was discovered in close proximity to the Herodeion, at the intersection of Erechtheiou and N. Kallisperi streets, during the supervision of a natural gas network installation project. The statue, made of white marble, was found within a trench only one meter wide and depicts a nude male figure in the style of Hermes Ludovisi.

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Culture, the statue was placed inside a structure built from rectangular bricks and was found to be in relatively good condition.

In this area, located south of the Acropolis, some of the most magnificent urban villas of Athens were built during the Imperial period (1st–5th century AD). These structures, as noted in the same announcement, are evidence of a city admired and frequented by wealthy, cultured urbanites. The villas were richly decorated with mosaic-adorned floors and sculptures, works created by the renowned Neo-Attic workshops.

After completing the documentation of the find, staff from the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens are ensuring the statue’s safe transport to conservation laboratories, where it will receive the necessary care, the Ministry’s announcement concluded.