Bust Of Leonids

Spartan Museum- Sparta

This is a Spartan bust that was made in the Archaic period. Notice the Archaic smile which is typical of statues made in this time. In the Spartan culture not just anyone got a bust made of them.This leads scholars to believe this is a bust of an important military general, perhaps Leonids, King of Sparta.

The thing I liked so much about this bust is the face. Even though the eyes do not have great detail, because of the smile this man looks genuinely happy which is not common in Archaic sculptures. Looking at his face, makes me want to smile back!