It is thought that the original bronze was part of a statuary group on the Pergamon acropolis commemorating the victory of Attalos in 230 BCE over the Gauls. Although it represents a defeated enemy, it still records his heroism and bravery. It is typically Hellenistic in that it depicts pain expressively (his bleeding wound is obvious at his side) and in that it attempts to evoke an emotional response from the viewer.



