Pensive Athena
Catalogue Image
2015-00-00
Name/Title
Pensive AthenaEntry/Object ID
03G1186Description
Bas-relief of Athena wearing a peplos and a Corinthian helmet, holding a spear in her left hand, her right hand placed on her hip. She stands, leaning on the spear looking down towards a stele on the left side of the relief.Type of Sculpture
ReliefArtwork Details
Medium
PlasterContext
Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, arts and crafts as well as a warrior goddess and patron of Athens. According to Mythology she was born, clad in full armor, from the head of Zeus. Her attributes include the spear, helmet and the aegis (goat-skin shield). On her shield she had mounted the Gorgon's head, given to her by Perseus, which turned every being that looked at it to stone. It is not clear what type of inscription this stele would have conveyed, though the somber mood of the piece suggests it may well have been funerary in nature.Made/Created
Date made
460 BCE - 460 BCETime Period
ClassicalPlace
City
AthensCountry
GreeceEthnography
Culture/Tribe
Greek - Classical