Art in Athens during the Peloponnesian War

This book examines the effects of the Peloponnesian War on the arts of Athens.

Olga Palagia (Edited by)

9781107656543, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 21 April 2014

308 pages, 76 b/w illus. 8 colour illus.
25.4 x 17.7 x 1.4 cm, 0.75 kg

'Palagia's book represents some of the latest ideas in understanding art in its political and cultural context.' American Journal of Archaeology

This book examines the effects of the Peloponnesian War on the arts of Athens and the historical and artistic contexts in which this art was produced. During this period, battle scenes dominated much of the monumental art, while large numbers of memorials to the war dead were erected. The temple of Athena Nike, built to celebrate Athenian victories in the first part of the war, carries a rich sculptural program illustrating military victories. For the first time, the arts in Athens expressed an interest in the afterlife, with many sculptured dedications to Demeter and Kore, who promised initiates special privileges in the underworld. After the Sicilian disaster, a retrospective tendency can be noted in both art and politics, which provided reassurance in a time of crisis. This is the first book to focus on the new themes and new kinds of art introduced in Athens as a result of the thirty-year war.

1. Athenian religion and the Peloponnesian War Michael A. Flower
2. Archaism and the quest for immortality in Attic sculpture during the Peloponnesian War Olga Palagia
3. The Eleusinian sanctuary during the Peloponnesian War Kevin Clinton
4. Attic votive reliefs and the Peloponnesian War Carol L. Lawton
5. War, plague, and politics in Athens in the 420s Lisa Kallet
6. The north frieze of the temple of Athena Nike Peter Schultz
7. Thucydides and the unheroic dead Brian Bosworth
8. Images in the Athenian demosion sema Hans Rupprecht Goette
9. Children in Athenian funerary art during the Peloponnesian War John H. Oakley
10. Alcibiades: the politics of personal style H. A. Shapiro.

Subject Areas: Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], History of art: ancient & classical art,BCE to c 500 CE [ACG]