DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.796#0177
THE AGE OF PERICLES
145
head of the original statue. The complete figure of the
statue is doubtless best given by the Varvakeion copy. The
goddess is represented standing upright, resting on the right
foot, the left foot being slightly drawn back. Her features
are full and matronly, but somewhat heavy and lifeless. On
her head she wears a helmet with three crests. The central
and highest crest is supported by a sphinx; each of the
other crests rests upon a winged horse. The cheek-pieces
Fig. 64.—Medallion with Relief of Head of Athena Parthenos. (Hermitage.)
of the helmet are raised and are left plain. The goddess
is clad in a long double tunic which partly conceals her
feet. The tunic is sleeveless, the bare arms being encircled
at the wrists by bracelets in the form of serpents. A scaly
aegis covers the breast of the goddess ; on the front of it
is the Gorgon's head. In her right hand the goddess supports
an image of Victory with drooping wings and turned partly
towards her. The hand which holds the Victory is supported
on a pillar. Whether this pillar was in the original is a
matter of dispute. Gardner is probably correct in saying
that it is practically certain that the pillar did not exist in
145
head of the original statue. The complete figure of the
statue is doubtless best given by the Varvakeion copy. The
goddess is represented standing upright, resting on the right
foot, the left foot being slightly drawn back. Her features
are full and matronly, but somewhat heavy and lifeless. On
her head she wears a helmet with three crests. The central
and highest crest is supported by a sphinx; each of the
other crests rests upon a winged horse. The cheek-pieces
Fig. 64.—Medallion with Relief of Head of Athena Parthenos. (Hermitage.)
of the helmet are raised and are left plain. The goddess
is clad in a long double tunic which partly conceals her
feet. The tunic is sleeveless, the bare arms being encircled
at the wrists by bracelets in the form of serpents. A scaly
aegis covers the breast of the goddess ; on the front of it
is the Gorgon's head. In her right hand the goddess supports
an image of Victory with drooping wings and turned partly
towards her. The hand which holds the Victory is supported
on a pillar. Whether this pillar was in the original is a
matter of dispute. Gardner is probably correct in saying
that it is practically certain that the pillar did not exist in