Smith, Arthur H.; British Museum <London> / Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities [Hrsg.]: A Catalogue of the sculptures of the Parthenon, in the British Museum (London, 1900)

STATUE OF ATHENE PARTHENOS. 13

diploiidion girt round the waist, bracelets and sandals ; her
left hand rests on her shield, which stands on its edge at
her side. The chiton is a split chiton, but worn so that the
leg is carefully concealed. In the centre of the outside of
the shield is a mask of Medusa, and inside a serpent; the
right hand of Athene is extended in front and rests on a
column with the palm open upwards, holding a figure of
Victory, in whose hands are remains of what is thought
to be a garland. The head of the Victory is wanting.
On the centre of the helmet of Athene is a Sphinx, and
at each side has been a Pegasos.

The statuette was found in a shrine in a private house.
Compare the vision of Proclos, who was bidden to prepare
his house for Athene, when her statue was being removed
by the Christians from the Parthenon, about 430 a.d.
(Marinus, Proclos, 30; Michaelis, p. 270.)

The original, which is of Pentelic marble, is in the National Museum
at Athens. Height, with plinth, 3 feet 5 inches. Found in 1880,
near the Varvaiion in Athens. Atheniscke Mittheilungen, VI., pis.
1, 3, p. 56 ; Journ. of Hellen. Studies, II., p. 3; Rev. Arch. 2nd
ser. XLI., pi. 4; Schreiber, Athena Parthenos des Phidias, pi. 1;
Brunn, Denkmaeler, Nos. 39, 40; Waldstein, pi. 14; Harrison,
Mythology and Monuments of Anc. Athens, p. 447 ; Baumeister,
Denkmaeler, p. 1315, figs. 1457, 1458; Oollignon, I., p. 541;
Gardner, Handbook, p. 253. For literature see Waldstein,
Essays, p. 270 ; Wolters, No. 467.

Cast of a statuette copied from the Athene Parthenos.
The head and right arm were separate pieces, inserted
in sockets and are now lost. The left arm is broken
away, at the middle of the upper arm, and the greater
part of the shield is also lost. The drapery resembles
that of No. 300 in its general lines, but is worked
throughout with more subtlety and consideration. The
aegis is smaller, with scalloped edges, and smooth surface;
the Gorgoneion is of the early type, with protruding
tongue. The figures preserved on the shield include the