Herms (sculptures with a head, and perhaps a torso, above a plain, usually squared lower section) were a common feature in Athens. They could be placed near the gates to guard the city or the sanctuary, or they could be dedications to the gods. Many herms were placed as road markers, a tradition that may have originated at the time of the tyrant Pisistratus and his sons. One of them, Hipparchus, even inscribed verses on the plain lower sides of the herms with moral sentiments such as “think just thoughts” or “don’t deceive a friend”. There were also private herms guarding the entrance of households to protect the owners from the evil influences that may try to disturb domestic bliss.