Figurine of Athena Promachos

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Provision of image

Inventory number

ΕΑΜ Χ 6459

Category

Bronzes

Period

Archaic Period

Date

500-490 BC

Dimensions

Height: 0.11 m

Material

Bronze

Location

First Floor Case 17, Νο 4

Description
Bibliography

Athena Promachos figurine found to the south of the Parthenon, possibly in 1888.

The goddess, fully armed, stands while she is about to strike her enemy with the spear she once held in her raised hand. In the other hand she would have held her shield. She wears chiton and peplos and has her aegis over her shoulders, covering also her left arm. Along the aegis’ hem project stylised snakes but there is no gorgoneion in the aegis’ centre. The goddess’ armour includes an Attic-type helmet with high crest.

The figurine belongs to a series of bronze depictions of Athena inspired possibly by the goddess’ bigger-than-life statue on the pediment of the Old Temple (Ακρ. 631 α, A-C) as well as the way she was depicted on Panathenaic amphorae.

Καββαδίας, Π., «Τεύχος μηνός Ιουνίου», Αρχαιολογικόν Δελτίον Δ, 1888, σελ. 102
De Ridder, A., Bronzes Trouvés sur l' Acropole d'Athènes, Paris, 1896, σελ. 307-308, εικ. 296, αρ. κατ. 790
Niemeyer, H.G., Promachos: Untersuchungen zur Darstellung der bewaffneten Athena in archaischer Zeit, Waldsassen, 1960, σελ. 32, εικ. 4, πίν. 1
Niemeyer, H.G., «Attische Bronzestatuetten der spätarchaischen und frühklassischen Zeit», Antike Plastik 3, 1964, σελ. 16-17, εικ. 4
Herdejurgen, H., «Bronzestattuette der Athene», Antike Kunst 12, 1969, σελ. 107-108, εικ. 47.5
Tölle-Kasteinbein, R., Frühklassische Peplosfiguren, Mainz, 1980, σελ. 69
Fuchs, W., Floren, J., Die griechische Plastik, I: Die geometrische und archaische Plastik, München, 1987, σελ. 306, αρ. κατ. 790