. There is nothing in this figure to suggest that it is meant to be a Hermes other than its scale and proportions. None of the usual attributes of Hermes are present. If the statue is just over 4 feet tall from the sole of the foot to the tip of the upraised arm, it is then a half life sized figure of normal proportions. There is in the ancient Greek mind, a relationship to Hermes in every very young and beautifully proportioned athlete. Hermes is after all, the patron deity of athletes. His statue is traditionally placed at the door of the gymnasium.   None of the attributes of Hermes is here presented. The flat, broad brimmed travelers hat, the short travelers cloak, the sleep inducing wand, the sandals, all of these are absent. This of course, can be explained away by saying that the figure is meant to be a newborn Hermes, but we are then back where we started with nothing but a beautiful male nude figure. We continue to be fascinated by the thorn, leaf, claw, object in the headband and would very much appreciate knowing the source of this information. I have spent many hours trying to find some reference to it, but can discover none. A small wing would explain it, but then there should be two, one on either side of the band. One in the center, seems illogical. The speculation that this may be intended to represent young Hermes is an entertaining one, but must remain just that, a speculation. Until we know the significance of the object in the headband or what rested in the left hand we shall be left with speculations ad infinitum . It is quite possible that the sculptor felt no need to justify creating an image of a beautiful young athlete and that the figure is no more than it appears to be. There have been here many suggestions and all have some merit, though all cannot be true at once. Without more information all that remains is conjecture.   ..............KALLISTOS...............     ........