The marble statuettes from the Athenian Agora, first century BC to fourth century AD
This study presents the full range of marble statuettes and statuette fragments, certainly or probably carved between the first century BC and the fourth century AD, that have been found during excavations of the Athenian Agora conducted by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The statuettes depict gods and goddesses in the forms of well-known classical and hellenistic models: Aphrodite, Asklepios, Eros, Artemis, Herakles, Pan, Apollo, Tyche, and Hermes, among others. In addition to the close autopsy and description of individual works, the primary aim of this study is to examine the statuettes as a group of cultural artefacts that document religion, society, and artistic production in Athens and beyond. Chapter 1 introduces the material and defines it shape. Chapter 2 builds an archaeological and chronological framework that places the bulk of production in the second and third centuries AD, up until the time of the Herulian sack in AD 267. Chapter 3 considers the demands of consumers through the lens of iconographic choice revealing local Athenian ways of picturing the gods. Chapters 4 and 5 explore the display settings of statuettes in sacred and domestic spaces, ultimately arguing that most
Martens, Brian
The marble statuettes from the Athenian Agora, first century BC to fourth century AD. This study presents the full range of marble statuettes and statuette fragments, certainly or probably carved between the first century BC and the fourth century AD, that have been found during excavations of the Athenian Agora conducted by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The statuettes depict gods and goddesses in the forms of well-known classical and hellenistic models: Aphrodite, Asklepios, Eros, Artemis, Herakles, Pan, Apollo, Tyche, and Hermes, among others. In addition to the close autopsy and description of individual works, the primary aim of this study is to examine the statuettes as a group of cultural artefacts that document religion, society, and artistic production in Athens and beyond. Chapter 1 introduces the material and defines it shape. Chapter 2 builds an archaeological and chronological framework that places the bulk of production in the second and third centuries AD, up until the time of the Herulian sack in AD 267. Chapter 3 considers the demands of consumers through the lens of iconographic choice revealing local Athenian ways of picturing the gods. Chapters 4 and 5 explore the display settings of statuettes in sacred and domestic spaces, ultimately arguing that most
marble statuette athenian study present full_range marble statuette statuette fragment certainly probably carve find excavation athenian conduct american school classical studies athens statuette depict god goddess form well_known classical_hellenistic model eros pan apollo among_others addition close description individual work primary_aim study examine statuette group cultural_artefact document religion_society artistic production athens beyond introduces material defines shape build archaeological chronological_framework place bulk production time considers demand consumer lens iconographic choice reveal local athenian way picture god explore display setting sacred domestic_space ultimately argue