Over the course of more than 1,000 years, Greek and Roman artists created many hundreds of bronze statues: gods, sportsmen, politicians and philosophers were all cast in bronze, raised on pedestals and erected as public memorials, or as offerings to temples, oracles and sanctuaries. This impressive body of work continues to be a major influence on artists today. Bronze is typically an alloy consisting primarily of copper with tin as its main additive, though lead sometimes plays a part; it is hard, strong and durable and, when heated at over 1,000 degrees, the molten metal takes on a life of its own.