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Varvakeion Athena

Varvakeion Athena is a Roman-period statue of Athena Parthenos in the collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. It is generally considered the most faithful reproduction of the chryselephantine statue made by Phidias and his assistants for the Parthenon. Carved in Pentelic marble and dated to around 200–250, the figure stands 1.05 meters tall, about one-twelfth the height of the original. Traces of red and yellow paint remain visible. Athena wears a peplos, aegis, and Attic helmet, and rests one hand near a shield bearing the gorgoneion. A small winged Nike stands beside a column at her right. The statue was discovered in 1880 near the original site of the Varvakeion School.

Varvakeion Athena stands draped with an ornate headdress, holding a small Nike and a shield.
Varvakeion Athena shown holding Nike and a shield.
1903 © Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
Varvakeion Athena statue holding a small winged figure, with a shield beside her.
The Varvakeion Athena sculpture shown in a monochrome photograph.
© Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
Varvakeion Athena statuette showing a standing armored figure with helmet, shield, and a small figure atop a tall support.
The Varvakeion Athena, a statuette of Athena holding a shield and a tall staff topped with a small figure.
1913 © · No restrictions
Varvakeion Athena shown in profile, holding a small winged figure beside a shield and column.
The Varvakeion Athena statue photographed in profile, with a shield and small winged figure visible beside her.
© Rijksmuseum · CC0
Line drawing of the Varvakeion Athena, a robed female figure wearing an ornate helmet, holding a small winged figure and resting beside a shield with a serpent.
The Varvakeion Athena shown in a line drawing with helmet, aegis, shield, and small winged figure.
1923 © J. F. Horrabin (Illustrator) · Public domain

Identification

TitleVarvakeion Athena
Alternative nameAtenea Varvakeion; Atena Varvakeion; Athena of the Varvakeion
TypeRoman-period statue, a copy of Phidias's Athena Parthenos
Depicted figureAthena Parthenos

Historical context

Datec. 200–250 CE

Creator

Original sculptorPhidias and his assistants

Discovery and provenance

Discovery date1880
Discovery locationNear the site of the Varvakeion School headquarters, in the ruins of a Roman house
Name originNamed after the place where it was discovered, the Varvakeion
EponymIoannis Varvakis
Original locationThe Parthenon, in the naos
Museum collectionNational Archaeological Museum of Athens
Current locationNational Archaeological Museum of Athens

Significance

Artistic significanceGenerally considered the most faithful reproduction of the chryselephantine Athena Parthenos

Physical characteristics

BaseRectangular, plain base
Height1.05 m
Relative scaleAbout one-twelfth of the estimated height of the original

Materials

MaterialPentelic marble
Original statue materialChryselephantine
Surface colorVisible traces of red and yellow paint

Appearance

Shield decorationGorgoneion on the shield
Nike figureWinged, headless, smaller than Athena, dressed in a peplos, and turned slightly toward her
Right handExtended and supported by a column; holding a winged figure of Nike
Shield supportThe shield rests on the oikouros ophis, identified with Erichthonius
HelmetAttic helmet with raised cheek pieces
Left handResting on the edge of a shield
Helmet crestThree crests: a sphinx on the central crest and pegasi on the lateral crests
AegisWorn over the peplos; decorated with serpents and a Gorgoneion in the center
Waist ornamentBelt in the form of two serpents
GarmentPeplos

History and restoration

Differences from the originalThe copy lacks the original base frieze showing the birth of Pandora, the spear described by Pausanias, and the Amazonomachy on the front of the shield described by Pliny the Elder
Support column debateThe presence of the column is debated as evidence for whether the original required a similar support; many reconstructions omit it, including the Nashville Parthenon reconstruction