The statue – maybe a part of a sculptural decoration of a large fountain or a nymphaeum as demonstrated by the remains of a pipe under the left elbow – was a Roman copy of a IV century A.D. original and represented Heracles in a resting position, laying on the skin of the Nemean Lion killed during the famous Twelve Labours. The left hand, now lost, probably held a jug.
The statue does not present phenomena of biological degradation.
Bonanno Aravantinos, M. 1991, ‘Osservazioni sul tipo dell’Eracle sdraiato’, in Giornate di Studio in onore di Achille Adriani, Roma, 26-27 novembre 1984, pp. 153–179.
Maniscalco, F. 1995, ‘Un ninfeo severiano nelle acque del porto di Baia’, Ostraka, 4(2), pp. 257–271.
Maniscalco, F. 1997, Ninfei ed edifici marittimi severiani del Palatium imperiale di Baia. Napoli: Massa Editore, pp. 58-59.
Napoli, M. 1953 ‘Di una villa marittima di Baia’, Bollettino di Storia dell’Arte. Istituto Universitario di Magistero, Salerno, III(1), pp. 76–107.
Zevi F. (cur.) 2009, Museo archeologico dei Campi Flegrei. Castello di Baia. Napoli: Electa Napoli.