A Little Perspective… How Big is the Hand of Hercules?

Last updated on January 2, 2023

One of my favorite photos from my Jordan travels is this photo of the hand of Hercules laying on the ground on a hilltop in Amman, Jordan. In fact, one day I might frame it because looking at it sets my imagination wandering. The first person I showed it to was mostly unimpressed, asking “It looks tiny, what is it?”

And I realized that my memory of this spot, of everything surrounding this hand—the grey hazy air, the languid breeze against my cheek as I framed the shot—that’s only one perspective on the photo.

But what is the truth? Can you tell from this shot the size of Hercules’ hand? How big would you reckon it is?

Think about that, as we take a look at the rest of the Citadel complex (don’t worry, we’ll come back to a wider-angle on the hand :)

The Amman Citadel & Temple of Hercules Ruins

The hilltop holding Amman’s temple seems unremarkable as far as hills are concerned. Amman, Jordan is a city comprised of seven hills, and the one holding the Temple of Hercules isn’t especially different than the others. It’s not taller. It’s not greener, pointier, or in some way more “hilly.” Yet the ancient Romans chose this specific hill, of the seven, to hold the Temple of Hercules and a Byzantine church. Amman’s modern appearance, however, belies it’s ancient history dating to the neolithic period and considered among the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places.

The Citadel dates from AD 162 to 166—which puts it smack dab in the middle of Amman’s period of Roman occupation during Marcus Aurelius’ time—and some say that the structure itself was never finished since there are missing columns and other archaeological evidence missing. What was left, however, is huge on an unprecedented scale. I’ve stared in wonder at Rome’s most impressive legacies: the coliseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, and more. And yet, the Amman Citadel would have been larger than anything in Rome.

The Citadel itself would have been impressive in scale, but it’s the statue of Hercules that tickles the imagination. Just hearing the name Hercules and in an instant my mind fancifully wanders through Greek history and mythology.

As the illegitimate son of Zeus and Alcmene, Hercules has long held a fascination for me, and likely not just me. Greek mythology paints Hercules as a human as much as he was a demigod—as strong and powerful as the Gods, but riddled by earthly disputes and relationship drama. He’s a hero, but relatable. His fallibility makes him infinitely more interesting than perfection.

In Amman, Citadel Hill (Jabal al-Qal’a) stands out because it’s located in what is now the heart of downtown, modern Amman but also among the oldest parts of the city. While rectangles of housing jut up from the terracotta earth on the other hillsides, Citadel Hill is so much more than merely a spot for holding the city’s occupants. Instead, you can admire the the tall, white-marble temple columns from the rest of the city, the view serving as an unavoidable reminder of Jordan’s pivotal place in ancient history.

The Statue of Hercules: Unimaginably Large

Archaeologist believe luck played somewhat into what is left standing today, even if it appears as just crumbling marble columns. Parts of the Citadel complex, including the Temple of Hercules, were likely cannibalized to build the nearby church, and some even joke that part of the temple may, in fact, have become beautiful countertops for Amman’s citizens. Left unfinished even nearly two thousand years ago, despite having been commissioned by the powerful Marcus Aurelius, the marble would have been easy prey for other projects, particularly if it was already in pieces because of an earthquake.

An earthquake is leading theory about what took down the State of Hercules. All that’s left of this mighty statue is a set of three fingers crawling over the side of the hill and a huge white fragment of elbow—by examining these pieces alone archaeologists have concluded it was Hercules this statue honored.

The statue graveyard elicits its own mysteries if if you know naught of the Citadel and Temple’s history. Two pieces of a once magnificent statue that no longer stands lay littered on the ground in front of crumbling marble columns.

The story gets even better when you know the specifics, however. The Statue of Hercules would have stood as much as 42 feet high (13 meters) according to archaeologists—it was 39 feet tall at a minimum, which would make it among the largest known marble statues in the world. That hand on the ground of an ambiguous size, it’s huge, as is Hercules’ elbow nearby.

Fun Facts About the Statue of Hercules at the Amman Citadel

1. The statue is believed to date back to the 2nd century AD: The statue is thought to have been created during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (AD 117-138). It is one of the oldest surviving statues of Hercules in the world.
2. The statue was discovered in the early 20th century: The statue was discovered in the early 1900s by a British archaeologist named Laurence Brown. It was found in the ruins of the Temple of Hercules, which is located on the Citadel in Amman.
3. The statue is a symbol of strength and power: In ancient Rome, Hercules was seen as a symbol of strength, courage, and power. The Statue of Hercules at the Amman Citadel is a reminder of this enduring cultural symbol.

Though only fragments of the statue remain, I find myself still thinking about the enormity of this statue, what an ancient visitor must have thought as they stood on a nearby hilltop and looked at a colossal, white human-like figure dominating the distant skyline. I can’t help but gaze at the city of Amman and imagine the glory of this hill during its heyday.

So tell me, does the first photo portray the enormity of Hercules’ hand in this statue, or do you instead see small creeping fingers along the dirt?  Would love your perspective on this! :)

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Quick Tips to Visit Amman, Jordan

Getting to the Citadel

Take a taxi up and walk down if you’re up for it as it’s a beautiful way to enjoy the views and vibes. If you’re really fit, you can walk up from the amphitheater. The Citadel ticket office is located on the path to the Citadel, so you can’t miss it.

When to Visit the Hand of Hercules

We visited in the late afternoon and it was lovely because the tour buses had already left. Take heed of the time though if you plan to walk as you should not walk home after dark.

Staying Safe in Jordan

Jordan has significantly different vibes than other places in the region and you can absolutely travel here. That said, the are very remote areas of the country where getting sick and needing emergency medical treatment would be expensive, so I recommend you carry travel insurance while you are here. Plus, the drivers are crazy at times, the road rules differ from North America, so be sure you can afford medical treatment if you get in an accident. I use IMG Global while traveling and highly recommend it.

Getting Around Jordan

Jordan on the whole is fairly easy to navigate by public transport, although many travelers rent a private car and explore that way since there are a few key sights you really need a car or a day tour to visit. Use the Lonely Planet Jordan to find the most updated transport options around the country as it’s your best bet at understanding how to navigate between places, as well as knowing which neat smaller sights you can visit along the way if you’re road tripping!