This sculpture is usually considered to be a Roman copy of an early Classical Greek original — it certainly has the dignity, relaxed muscularity and downturned head favoured by many Roman Emperors in their patronage of art. Stylistic analysis is hampered by the poor condition of the sculpture. Not only was it in many incomplete pieces when found at the bottom of the River Tiber, but the surface has also suffered. The turn of the head and the angle of the left shoulder suggest he held something in his left hand; if it is Apollo, perhaps a laurel branch or a bow