http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1011670/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=4F8CAB5345BA71DEFA82CD71B9085DC1Commodus as the infant Hercules killing the snakesA.D. 183–192Marble, from Carrara in northwest ItalyThis fragmentary statue represents a young, nude Commodus in the guise of the mythological hero Hercules strangling a pair of serpents. The snakes wind around the infant’s upper thighs and left forearm. The left arm is held down, close to the torso, and the legs are splayed as though in mid-stride. The positioning of the right shoulder indicates that the right arm was originally raised. The face is round with plump cheeks and a small chin with a dimple in the middle. The eyes are large and wide with thick lids. The irises are incised but the pupils are not drilled. The eyebrows are gently arched but there is no evidence for feathering. The mouth is small with full lips. Crowning the head is a full head of hair. The tousled curls are composed of short comma-shaped locks that have been deeply carved out with the drill. The legs below mid-thigh, all of the right arm, and the left hand are missing. There are remains of small dowel holes or pins in the left hand, left leg, right thigh, and at the rear. The nose and upper lip have been heavily damaged. There is also damage to the lower left cheek near the jawline and to the ears. Deposits from small root marks cover the surface of the statue, which has a light gray to yellowship brown patina. Scientific Analysis: Harvard Lab No. HI733: Isotope ratios - delta13C +2.07 / delta18O -2.13, Attribution - Carrara, Justification - White, fine grained marble. Sculpture78.0000000000 Centimeter25.4000508001 Centimeterhttp://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/151360;jsessionid=4F8CAB5345BA71DEFA82CD71B9085DC1