---
title: Biche of Balazote
author: James Blake Wiener
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7512/biche-of-balazote/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Biche of Balazote

_Authored by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/)_

## Image File

[![Biche of Balazote](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7512.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7512.jpg)

## Image Caption

The "Biche of Balazote" is a hybrid [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) of an androcephalous bull that has clearly been influenced by [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) models. The beast has the body of a bull and a human head with other animal features. The back was originally plain and abutted to a funerary monument, where it served an apotropaic purpose as the protector of a [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/). It was made by ancient Iberians between the late-6th-early 5th centuries BCE of limestone. It comes from Albacete (Balazote), Spain. (Museo Arqueológico Nacional, Madrid)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

James Blake Wiener has a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wiener, J. B. (2017, October 31). Biche of Balazote. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7512/biche-of-balazote/>
### Chicago
Wiener, James Blake. "Biche of Balazote." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 31, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7512/biche-of-balazote/>.
### MLA
Wiener, James Blake. "Biche of Balazote." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Oct 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7512/biche-of-balazote/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/ "User Page: James Blake Wiener"), published on 31 October 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.