DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0351
CHAPTER XVIII.
SCHOLARS AND CONTEMPORARIES OF PHEIDIAS AND OF MYRON.
Agoracritos. — Colotes. — Theocosmos. — Thrasymedes. — Alcamenes. — His Works. — Other Sculp-
tors.— Lykios.— Myronic Statues. — Cresilas. — Statues of Amazons.— Portrait of Pericles.—
Strongylion. — Callimachos. — Demetrios. — His Characteristics. — Other Artists.
Around Pheidias a few men seem to have clustered as his scholars, among
whom Agoracritos of Paros is called his favorite. As the story goes, this par-
tiality for the Parian youth was so great, that the master often gave finishing
touches to statues from his hand, and even presented Agoracritos with statues
upon which the scholar was allowed to inscribe Pheidias' name, to the great
perplexity of all later critics.601
Agoracritos executed statues of Zeus and Athena in bronze, for a temple at
Coroneia in Bceotia: this Zeus, called Hades by Strabo, was possibly a varia-
tion on Pheidias' Olympic Zeus.602 But his most famous work was a Nemesis
in marble at Rhamnus, the fragments of which show, that it was a dignified,
quiet statue, 4.57 meters (fifteen feet) high, its pose suitable for an object of
worship.6o3 The goddess wore a crown of equal height all around, on which
were represented goddesses of victory, and deers, in relief. In one hand she
carried an apple-branch, and in the other a patera, probably to receive libations.
The base was richly decorated with mythic scenes, one of which conceived
Nemesis as mother of Helen, giving her child into Leda's charge. According
to one story, the statue was originally an Aphrodite Urania, executed in rivalry
with Alcamenes, but^ losing the prize, was changed to a Nemesis.6°4
Colotes, also.a native of Paros, and a reputed pupil of one Pasiteles, is said
to have been intimately associated with Pheidias in the execution of the Olympic
Zeus.6o5 In Elis stood a statue attributed to Colotes, representing Athena in
gold and ivory, and having a shield painted by Panainos: another authority
calls it the work of Pheidias.606 This connection of Colotes' name with that
of Pheidias clearly intimates a relationship between the two men. An Ascle-
pios by Colotes, in Elis, likewise in gold and ivory, is greatly praised by
Strabo.60/' In the Temple of Zeus, at Olympia, stood a costly table of gold
and ivory by this master, on which were laid the wreaths for the competitors
in the games.6oS On it were represented many of the great gods, besides
318
SCHOLARS AND CONTEMPORARIES OF PHEIDIAS AND OF MYRON.
Agoracritos. — Colotes. — Theocosmos. — Thrasymedes. — Alcamenes. — His Works. — Other Sculp-
tors.— Lykios.— Myronic Statues. — Cresilas. — Statues of Amazons.— Portrait of Pericles.—
Strongylion. — Callimachos. — Demetrios. — His Characteristics. — Other Artists.
Around Pheidias a few men seem to have clustered as his scholars, among
whom Agoracritos of Paros is called his favorite. As the story goes, this par-
tiality for the Parian youth was so great, that the master often gave finishing
touches to statues from his hand, and even presented Agoracritos with statues
upon which the scholar was allowed to inscribe Pheidias' name, to the great
perplexity of all later critics.601
Agoracritos executed statues of Zeus and Athena in bronze, for a temple at
Coroneia in Bceotia: this Zeus, called Hades by Strabo, was possibly a varia-
tion on Pheidias' Olympic Zeus.602 But his most famous work was a Nemesis
in marble at Rhamnus, the fragments of which show, that it was a dignified,
quiet statue, 4.57 meters (fifteen feet) high, its pose suitable for an object of
worship.6o3 The goddess wore a crown of equal height all around, on which
were represented goddesses of victory, and deers, in relief. In one hand she
carried an apple-branch, and in the other a patera, probably to receive libations.
The base was richly decorated with mythic scenes, one of which conceived
Nemesis as mother of Helen, giving her child into Leda's charge. According
to one story, the statue was originally an Aphrodite Urania, executed in rivalry
with Alcamenes, but^ losing the prize, was changed to a Nemesis.6°4
Colotes, also.a native of Paros, and a reputed pupil of one Pasiteles, is said
to have been intimately associated with Pheidias in the execution of the Olympic
Zeus.6o5 In Elis stood a statue attributed to Colotes, representing Athena in
gold and ivory, and having a shield painted by Panainos: another authority
calls it the work of Pheidias.606 This connection of Colotes' name with that
of Pheidias clearly intimates a relationship between the two men. An Ascle-
pios by Colotes, in Elis, likewise in gold and ivory, is greatly praised by
Strabo.60/' In the Temple of Zeus, at Olympia, stood a costly table of gold
and ivory by this master, on which were laid the wreaths for the competitors
in the games.6oS On it were represented many of the great gods, besides
318