Why Is Athena Important In Greek Art

Of all the ancient city-states of Greece, Athens was considered one of the most widely renowned at the time. Its beautiful architecture, menacing navy, and early form of Democracy, are just a few of its well known merits. The city-state was named after the Greek Goddess, Athena, who served as a bastion for Wisdom, Strategy, and Warfare. This daughter of Zeus, became Athens’s patron deity as a means of protection and influence in decision making. Many sculptures, paintings, and other works of art were crafted to honor Athena in her glorious liking. Atop a great plateau within Athens, Greece, laid the foundations of several architectural marvels. These expansive temples and administrative buildings made up what was known as the Akropolis of Athens. One such statue that resided among the structures was a Bronze statuette of Athena flying her owl. …show more content…
Athena, casted in bronze, a metal alloy common throughout the Classical period of Greek art, is shown flying what appears to be an owl within her hand (Bronze). Standing at 15cm. in height, this bronze rendition of Athena is believed to have been created around 460 BCE (Bronze). As to purpose the statuette served, there are various theories revolving a similar basis. For centuries, an owl has symbolized true wisdom, befitting a Goddess of such. Athenian coinage was also believed to display Athena on one side, while an Owl resided on its opposite (Bronze). The Bronze statuette of Athena flying her owl can be found on Met Fifth Avenue in New York City, at The Metropolitan Museum Gallery 156