This monument Wellington - perhaps one of the strangest in London: the winner of Napoleon is depicted as a nude Achilles. Without the appropriate inscription on the pedestal understand who dedicated a monument, it would be difficult.

The commander and statesman, the Duke of Wellington - one of the most prominent figures of British history. In his youth, he was considered mediocre, and own mother said about him: "I do not know what to do with my incapable of Arthur." When the first Duke woo, "mired in debt to the young man with the unenviable future" denied. On the day of Wellington, a passionate amateur violinist, he burned his violin and chose a military career.

Ranks Duke mainly bought (as was the custom then in the British Army). Once in India in real combat situation, he showed composure and courage, which are the outstanding military skills. Wellington won, maintaining strict discipline in their troops (up to floggings and gallows), gaining allies through diplomacy and taking care of supplying the army.

In Britain, he returned a Knight of the Bath and a wealthy man. He was waiting for the Spanish campaign in which Duke won fame commander, able to win Napoleon. And when Bonaparte deposed, fled from St. Helena, triumphantly entered Paris, was Wellington became commander of allied Anglo-Dutch army, which, together with the Prussians defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

Monument in Hyde Park was established in 1822 in memory of those victories was Wellington. Carved by sculptor Richard Westmacott it, depict the Duke as invulnerable ancient hero, the central character of "The Iliad" of Homer. The statue is a copy of one of the figures tamers of horses with the Quirinale hill in Rome. The monument is huge: its total height - 10 meters. He is cast in bronze of captured French guns. When the colossal figure was ready, it became clear that it does not pass through the gates of Hyde Park, and the fence had to make a special hole.

Westmacott creation from the beginning subjected to fierce criticism: a giant Achilles was the first nude male figure, exhibited in London for public viewing. Envisaged sculptor fig leaf rather modest size in every way to beat in cartoons. Added a special piquancy to the situation is the fact that the monument was built on the donations of the English ladies.

Achilles stands Wellington near Apsley House, the London residence of the Duke. On the other side of the house are a memorial to Wellington Arch Wellington, here goes a street named after a national hero: this corner of London just oversaturated with monuments dedicated to the commander. In the City of London, in front of the Royal Exchange, is another monument to Wellington - horse, sculptor Sir Francis Leggatta Centro.