The gold ivory statue of Athena by Maria Gkougkoutsi

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Pericles and PhidiasIn the 5th century B.C Pericles commissioned his close friend and renowned architect and sculptor Phidias to help in the construction and decoration of the Parthenon, the temple which would house the statue of Athena

The AcropolisPhidias’s apprentices made many of the statues in the Acropolis whereas Phidias himself took up the difficult task of sculpting the statue of Athena dedicated to the patron goddess of Athens, Athena Parthenos.

LocationThe statue was to be placed in the Parthenon where it could be seen by everyone. It would serve as a symbol of the power and wealth the city-state of Athens possessed at the time.

The statueThe statue was about 9-11 meters high. It was hollow with a wooden armature supporting the outer surfaces of the golden drapery, and the ivory flesh of Athena. Athena was standing up wearing an ankle-length tunic with a Medusa and two snakes on the breastplate. She had a helmet decorated with a Sphynx and two Pegasi on her head. Her sandals were decorated with reliefs depicting the battle between the Lapithons and the Centaurs.

DescriptionA gorgon was depicted on her auspices. In one hand she held a winged Nike (meaning victory) which she offered to the Athenians. In the other ,there was a spear showing a dragon. Her shield depicted the battle of the Amazons on the outside and the battle of the Giants on the inside. The birth of Pandora was depicted on the base

Phidias and the AtheniansAfter the statue’s construction the Athenians accused Phidias of embezzling gold. Luckily, he managed to prove his innocence by dismantling the auspice of Athena and weighing it.

What happened to the statueIt is claimed that the Romans removed the statue from the Parthenon, while others hold that it ended up in Constantinoples. The statue has not survived to this day but several marble replicas have been found, one of them exhibited at the National Archaeological museum.

QUIZ1.Who made the statue of Athena?a. Periclesb. Phidiasc. The Athenians2.Where would the statue be situated?a. In Pericles’ houseb. In the Acropolisc. Outside the Acropolis3.The statue wasa. sitting on a throneb. sitting on a sofac. standing up4.Athena was wearing a tunic witha. a medusa b. a centaurc. a warrior

5. In one hand Athena helda. a medusab. an owlc. a winged Nike6. On the other hand she helda. a spear and a shieldb. an owl and a shieldc. a Nike and a shield 7. When Phidias finished the statue, the Atheniansa. were pleased with himb. did not like the statuec. accused him of stealing gold8. In the Archaeological museum we can seea. the real statueb. a replica of the statue c. a photo of the statue

ANSWERS1. b 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. a 7. c 8.b