Artemis Lafria

The statue of Artemis Lafria, 1.34 m tall, was discovered in 1989. The goddess raises her right hand above her right shoulder to draw an arrow from her quiver. She leans to the right against a tree trunk and holds a bow, the surviving lower end of which is shaped like a swan’s head. Her hair, with traces of a pale (blonde) color, is parted in the middle and falls in fine, wavy strands toward the back, where it is tied in a bun. She wears a short tunic and, over it, a chlamys tied at the waist, as well as embades (= leather boots). This type was named “Laphra” after Artemis Laphra, who is depicted on Roman coins from Patras. His hairstyle and facial features find parallels in copies and variations of Praxiteles’ Aphrodite of Cnidus.

Statue of Hermes and the Emperor

They were found in 1966 at the site where the hall with the marble reliefs and the Artemis Lafria were uncovered in 1989. The emperor is likely depicted as Constantius II (357–361 CE). They are works of the same local Messenian workshop. Their stylistic characteristics allow them to be dated to around the middle of the 4th century AD.

Isis the Pelagian

It was discovered in 2002 on the proscenium of the Theater of Messene. It is a nearly intact, life-size (height: 1.70 m) marble statue from the 2nd century It is of high quality and depicts Isis holding a ship’s sail, facing to the right with her left foot resting on the ship’s prow. It comes from the decoration of the Roman stage of the Theater, a work that is unique and original in its conception and execution.