A polychrome bust figurehead of a Greek warrior from the passenger/cargo steamer Thermopylae (1891). The figurehead is loosely inspired by classical sculptures of warriors from ancient Greece with a plumed gold and silver helmet and a brown cloak draped over the shoulders. The warrior has a thick beard and moustache, and is looking down and slightly to the left.

Thermopylae was named after a famous Greek battle against the Persians. In 480 BC, after three days of fierce fighting, a small army under the Spartan king, Leonidas, was finally defeated by a significantly larger invading Persian army of Xerxes I. The battle in later centuries came to represent the heroic and patriotic defence of the homeland against invaders and the protection of ideas of freedom over authoritarian government.