Limestone statuette of a hunter
Cypriot, around 550 BC
Found in the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, Naukratis, Egypt
Standing in the Egyptian manner
The Greek trading colony at Naukratis was founded early in the
sixth century BC by a syndicate of Greek cities. At Naukratis, the
colonists traded with each other and, presumably, with the native
Egyptians. Evidence for a Cypriot presence in the colony is
suggested by the discovery of numerous limestone statuettes, carved
in Cypriot style and wearing Cypriot dress. Many of these were
found in the principal sanctuary dedicated to Aphrodite, goddess of
love.
This statuette represents a hunter who carries a bow in the left
hand, arrows in the right and two pairs of animals (boars and
hares) over his shoulder. He wears a close-fitting cap, with side
pieces turned up and an animal skin over a tunic. Down the back of
the hunter's right leg is an inscription in Greek, dedicating it to
Aphrodite.