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# The chief masterpiece of the Palazzo Massimo in Rome is one of the best-known ancient sculptures, the Lancellotti Discobolus, 2nd century BC, itself a marble copy of the legendary bronze original of the 5th century BC by the sculptor Myron
- URL: https://theparnassian.com/en/glavnyi-shedevr-palatstso-massimo-v-rime-odna-iz-naibolee-izvestnykh-antichnykh-skulptur-diskobol-lanchellotti-ii-v-do-n-e-kotoraia-v-svoiu-ochered-iavliaetsia-mramornoi-kopiei-legendar/
- Published: 2024-11-23T15:55:06.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T05:32:02.000Z
- Author: Alexandr Radayev
- Tags: Archaeology, Art, Museums, Rome

The Discobolus was one of the celebrated ancient Greek bronze statues that have not survived, known to us from the words of ancient authors, from numerous fragmentary finds of copies and from a few depictions. The Discobolus is described in Lucian's textbook dialogue: "Do you mean the discus-thrower, who is bent over in the act of throwing, turned with his head towards the hand that holds the discus, and with one knee slightly bent, as though he would straighten up again after the throw?"

The Lancellotti Discobolus, the one with the head, is the best-preserved copy of Myron's sculpture. It was found in 1781 on the Esquiline Hill, on land belonging to the Massimo family, and the first owner of the find was Cardinal Lancellotti, hence the name.

The statue acquired its present appearance after several restorations: although the head was in place, several parts were still missing, and they were made good from other copies that had been discovered. The sculpture displayed in the Palazzo Massimo beside the Lancellotti Discobolus is also a Roman copy, but in a poorer state of preservation, and if you look closely, the two sculptures differ greatly from each other.

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_14291@23-11-2024_18-55-06.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_14292@23-11-2024_18-55-06.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_14293@23-11-2024_18-55-06.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_14294@23-11-2024_18-55-06.jpg)