The scene is an allegory of athletic contest, agon. The pillar with bearded head is Hermes, the god of the gymnasium. Nearby is a palm of victory and a prize table with a victory ribbon on it. Two winged baby Eros figures are struggling over a palm branch, now mostly broken; they act out the idea of contest, which is personified in the youthful figure behind. He holds another palm of victory: he is Agon himself! - Museum of Aphrodisias.
Travel notes and photos of archaeological tours in ancient Anatolia, Turkey.