Athena Parthenos

Definition

Athena Parthenos, meaning 'Athena the Virgin,' refers to the ancient Greek goddess Athena as she was worshipped in her aspect of purity and wisdom. This title is prominently associated with a colossal statue created by the sculptor Phidias, which stood in the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens, symbolizing the city's devotion to Athena and showcasing the artistic achievements of the Classical period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The original statue of Athena Parthenos was approximately 38 feet tall and made of gold and ivory, showcasing both wealth and skill in its construction.
2. The statue depicted Athena holding a shield in one hand and a statue of Nike (Victory) in the other, symbolizing her role as a warrior goddess.
3. Phidias is believed to have completed the statue around 432 BCE, during the height of Athenian power and culture in the Classical period.
4. The Parthenon itself was constructed between 447 and 432 BCE as a temple dedicated to Athena, making it a central part of her worship and a representation of Athenian democracy and civic pride.
5. The Athena Parthenos statue was later replaced by a copy during the Roman period, but its influence persisted throughout history as a symbol of Athenian identity.

Review Questions

• How does the representation of Athena Parthenos reflect Athenian values and beliefs during the Classical period?
  • The representation of Athena Parthenos emphasizes Athenian values such as wisdom, warfare, and civic duty. The statue symbolizes not just the goddess's protective role over Athens but also reflects the city's pride in its artistic achievements. The emphasis on purity through her title 'Parthenos' aligns with Athenian ideals of virtue and honor, showcasing how deeply intertwined religion and civic identity were in their society.
• Discuss the significance of Phidias's work on Athena Parthenos in relation to advancements in Greek sculpture during this era.
  • Phidias's work on Athena Parthenos marked a significant advancement in Greek sculpture by blending artistic innovation with religious devotion. His use of gold and ivory for the statue demonstrated technical mastery while creating an awe-inspiring representation that conveyed both power and beauty. This sculpture set new standards for monumental art in Greece, influencing future generations of artists by showcasing how sculpture could be used to express civic pride and divine reverence.
• Evaluate the impact of the Athena Parthenos statue on subsequent artistic representations of deities in both Greek and Roman cultures.
  • The impact of Athena Parthenos extended beyond ancient Greece into Roman culture, where similar depictions of deities were influenced by her iconic stature. The original statue's combination of grandeur and divine qualities became a model for subsequent representations, emphasizing not only aesthetics but also the symbolic meanings attached to gods. As later cultures adopted these ideals, they contributed to a broader artistic tradition that celebrated divine figures with similar attributes of strength, wisdom, and beauty, shaping how deities were viewed in art for centuries.

Related terms

Parthenon: A temple on the Acropolis of Athens dedicated to Athena Parthenos, considered one of the greatest architectural achievements of ancient Greece.

Phidias: An influential ancient Greek sculptor known for creating the statue of Athena Parthenos and other notable works like the statue of Zeus at Olympia.

Classical Sculpture: A style of art that emerged in ancient Greece, characterized by its focus on idealized forms, proportion, and beauty, exemplified by works like the Athena Parthenos.