Also known as *Heniokhos* — the rein-holder — the Charioteer of Delphi is an ancient Greek bronze statue dating to around 478–474 BC. It is probably the most famous exhibit in the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, the last item visitors see on their tour of the museum.
Polyzalos, the Tyrant of Gela in Sicily, commissioned the statue to express his gratitude to the god Apollo for his charioteer’s victory in the Pythian Games. An inscription on the limestone base confirms it was a tribute to Apollo for helping him win the chariot race. The Pythian Games were held at Delphi every four years in honor of Pythian Apollo.
The statue was originally part of a larger composition depicting a *tethrippon* — a four-horse chariot — while presumably two boys to the left and right held the reins. Standing 1.8 meters tall, the figure wears the customary long tunic called a *xystis*, reaching down to his ankles. A wide belt tightens it high above the waist, while two bands pass as suspenders over the shoulders, criss-crossing on the back. The figure is that of a very young man, as shown by his soft side-curls. Chariot drivers were chosen for their lightness and tall stature — they were frequently teenagers.
The sculpture is generally interpreted as depicting the driver shortly after his victory, as he presents the chariot and horses to the spectators. Despite the gravity of the moment, the youth’s demeanor encapsulates the glory with reverence and serenity.
The technical execution is extraordinary. The eyelashes, eyebrows, and lips were made from pure copper, giving them a pinkish color. The four visible upper incisors in the slightly parted mouth were crafted from silver. The headband was adorned with meanders and crosses inlaid with matte grey tin and embellished with copper wire. The eyes were built with jeweler-like precision: the sclera is believed to be magnesite, the rim of the iris from a basalt-family stone, the reddish-brown iris from chalcedony, and the black pupil from obsidian. The tear ducts were composed of fragments of pink coral.
The Charioteer was cast in several pieces using the lost-wax method. The name of the sculptor is unknown, but on stylistic grounds it is believed the statue was made in Athens, with certain similarities to the Apollo of Piraeus.
The statue survived because it was buried under a rockfall when an earthquake destroyed the site in 373 BC. Upon discovery in 1896, the figure exhibited a blue appearance — consistent with Plutarch’s description of bronzes from Delphi having an unusual blue and glossy patina due to the air inside the sanctuary. After a century of indoor exposure, the statue has turned green, although the lower torso still preserves a blue coloration. It was found in three pieces: head and upper torso, lower torso, and right arm. The left forearm was lost before burial, along with most of the silver eyelashes and the copper inlays on the lips.
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Lens: TAMRON SP 28-75mm F/2.8 Di A09E
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 38.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/500
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 400
Photo Taken: May 09, 2026
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