1. THE MOURNING ATHENE

2.  this small votive relief was found buried on the Akropolis  it dates from about 450 BC and is made from white marble.  it is quite new and it is thought to have been buried near the Parthenon.

3.  Athene is shown wearing a helmet looking down a spear at a pillar on the ground.  she is carved in low relief.

4. ATHENE’S APPEARANCE  Athene wears: a Corinthian helmet pushed back on her head. a Corinthian helmet pushed back on her head. a heavy peplos which falls in long column-like folds. The peplos is tied at the waist with a belt. a heavy peplos which falls in long column-like folds. The peplos is tied at the waist with a belt. she leans on a spear in her left hand she leans on a spear in her left hand her right hand rests on her hip. her right hand rests on her hip.

5.  The pillar she looks down at may be: a finishing post (terma) in an exercise ground. a finishing post (terma) in an exercise ground. a boundary stone (horos) in a sanctuary. a boundary stone (horos) in a sanctuary. but it is probably a stele with a list of the Athenian dead from a battle. but it is probably a stele with a list of the Athenian dead from a battle. this would account for her bowed head and serious expression.

6. ATHENE’S FACE  a heavy chin.  a classic Grecian profile a line from her forehead down to the tip of her nose. a line from her forehead down to the tip of her nose.  hair is linear.  Severe style of face and hair.  relationship of head and shoulders awkward.

7. ATHENE’S DRESS  the awkward twist at waist is hidden by the heavy peplos and not shown by the folds.  Athene’s breasts are lightly indicated by a light v-shaped fold.  the folds of the peplos remain unbroken despite Athene’s bent left leg and the drapery hangs unnaturally (column-like).  as the body leans forward the folds of the peplos do not fall vertically as it should but they mirror the angle of the body.  the drapery does however hang naturally over the left heel.

8. OTHER POINTS  Athene is shown with head and feet in profile, while the torso is shown front on.  her weight is on her right foot and her left knee is bent.