Clio Logo
Charleston State Capitol Sculptures
Item 4 of 16
This is a contributing entry for Charleston State Capitol Sculptures and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.
These busts face the interior courtyard from the entrance to the East Wing of the Capitol Building. The figures depicted are Perseus, Prometheus, and Juno. Juno is also known as Hera in Greek mythology. On the left, Perseus wears a Galea, a plumed Roman helmet typically worn by legionaries. The son of Zeus, Perseus is most famous for slaying the gorgon Medusa. Next to Perseus is the rebellious titan Prometheus. Prometheus defied his titan siblings by siding with the Olympians, but also defied the will of Zeus by gifting humanity fire. As punishment, Prometheus was chained to a rock and each day a bird pecked out his liver. Prometheus' matted unkempt hair is a reminder of his daily torture. Finally, the goddess Juno is depicted on the right. She wears a crown appropriate to her position as consort of Zeus and queen of the gods. Juno is also the goddess of marriage and motherhood.

Perseus, Prometheus, and Juno.

Style, Sculpture, Carnivore, Grey

Dickson, Iain. The Roman Soldier's Helmet — Galea, Romano Britain. January 1st 2021. Accessed January 13th 2021. https://www.romanobritain.org/8-military/mil_roman_soldier_helmet.php.

Harding, James E. West Virginia Capitol Complex, National Register of Historic Places. April 11th 1974. Accessed January 12th 2021. http://www.wvculture.org/shpo/nr/pdf/kanawha/74002009.pdf.

Prometheus, Britannica. Accessed January 13th 2021. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Prometheus-Greek-god.

West Virginia Capitol Building, MH3WV. Accessed January 12th 2021. https://mh3wv.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/West-Virginia-State-Capitol-Building-MH3WV.pdf.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Accessed January 13, 2021. https://mh3wv.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/West-Virginia-State-Capitol-Building-MH3WV.pdf.