Pergamon’s Athena Parthenos: Questions of Greek Identity and the Impact of Ancient and Modern Display
Loading...
Date
2024-01-09
Authors
Kleihs, Maja
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
One of the largest and best preserved copies of the Athena Parthenos, the famed statue was found in Pergamon, a major city in the Hellenistic period. This statue from c. 170 BCE diverged in part from the original becoming a representation of Pergamon’s interest in art and assertion of Hellenism. It is often featured in studies of Hellenistic sculpture or of the excavation of Pergamon. Drawing on previous scholarship of Pergamon history, cultural positioning, and excavations, this thesis analyzes this work of art and examines its role in constructing Pergamene identity. By comparing this statue to the original version and other extant copies of the Athena Parthenos, I also investigate issues of interpretation and access. Finally, this thesis examines the history of its display to understand how it is understood in modern spaces and its relationship to important museological issues.