Cleobis and Biton

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Definition

James Lloyd
by
published on 16 August 2014
Available in other languages: Greek, Serbian
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Cleobis & Biton (by James Lloyd, CC BY-NC-SA)
Cleobis & Biton
James Lloyd (CC BY-NC-SA)

Two over-life-size Archaic kouroi (6.5 ft / 2 m) are housed at the Delphi Museum, and date to c. 580 BCE. Their names (Cleobis and Biton) are actually written on their bases, and the sculptor is given as Polymides of Argos: such inscriptions are unusual for this early date. They are ideal representations of strength and masculinity, in the Peloponnesian style.

The myth of Cleobis and Biton is told in Herodotus, 1.31. The two sons carried their priestess mother by cart in place of oxen. They travelled from Argos to the Argive Heraion, some 45 stadia.

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At their arrival they collapse, and their mother prays to Hera that they may die in their sleep - the easiest death for mortals. Herodotus tells this story as part of Solon's answer to Croesus' questioning as to who the happiest man is.

μετὰ ταύτην δὲ τὴν εὐχὴν ὡς ἔθυσάν τε καὶ εὐωχήθησαν, ἐν αὐτῷ τῷ ἱρῷ οἱ νεηνίαι οὐκέτι ἀνέστησαν ἀλλ᾽ ἐν τέλεϊ τούτῳ ἔσχοντο. Ἀργεῖοι δὲ σφέων εἰκόνας ποιησάμενοι ἀνέθεσαν ἐς Δελφοὺς ὡς ἀριστῶν γενομένων.

After this prayer they sacrificed and feasted. The youths then lay down in the temple and went to sleep and never rose again; death held them there. The Argives made and dedicated at Delphi statues of them as being the best of men.

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Herodotus, 1.31.5

(the full passage in translation and original can be found here)

Perhaps, in this case, there is some truth to Herodotus' stories…

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Editorial Review This article has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our editorial policy.
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About the Author

James Lloyd
James' main area of research is ancient Greek music, but he has general interests in mythology, religion, and art & archaeology. A self-confessed philhellene, James keeps at least one eye on the Roman pie.

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Cite This Work

APA Style

Lloyd, J. (2014, August 16). Cleobis and Biton. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Cleobis_and_Biton/

Chicago Style

Lloyd, James. "Cleobis and Biton." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified August 16, 2014. https://www.worldhistory.org/Cleobis_and_Biton/.

MLA Style

Lloyd, James. "Cleobis and Biton." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 16 Aug 2014. Web. 14 Dec 2024.

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