Sculpture is a visual and three dimensional branch of art reflecting the appearance of living creatures

Sculpture is a visual and three dimensional branch of art reflecting the appearance of living creatures or an abstracted expression, through giving shape to different materials employing a variety of methods. Stone, in particular marble, is a basic material for sculpture, however hard and soft woods and ivory were also used to make works of sculpture. Some metals were widely used such as iron, copper, lead, gold, silver and bronze. Clay, in particular that colored red or yellow from oxides and the clay employed in pottery is also used for sculpture.

The main subjects of the art of sculpture are figures such as gods, mythological beings, fables, legends, heroes, religious stories and athletic activity. Other subjects such as animals, plants and fictional beings were also frequently sculpted.

Statues having large dimensions were made to portray the Gods and Goddesses following religious belief and they were placed within the temples. Statuettes were prayed to in houses and also they were presented to temples as offerings and some statuettes were also placed as gifts in tombs. In the Roman Imperial Age, statues were made and displayed for decorative purposes in houses and in buildings employed for social activities. In this way, the art of sculpture that previously been peculiar to the Gods, was transformed from being a largely sacred, temple art into the art of home decoration, ornamenting parts of homes in a fashion peculiar to the individual person and this practice was transferred to the Roman Empire from the Hellenistic art.