Attalos, Athens, and the Akropolis
The Pergamene 'Little Barbarians' and their Roman and Renaissance Legacy

This 2005 volume examines the 'little barbarians', ten figures found in Rome in 1514.

Andrew Stewart (Author)

9780521831635, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 November 2004

386 pages, 306 b/w illus. 1 map
27.9 x 21.6 x 2.2 cm, 1.51 kg

'… the author's stated aim, 'to explain something of what Roman art was intended to do, how it functioned, and how ... it was perceived', has been brilliantly achieved.' Arctos

This 2005 volume examines the 'little barbarians', ten highly expressive Roman marble figures of Giants, Amazons, Persians, and Gauls that were found in Rome in 1514 and are now recognized as copies of the Small (or Lesser) Attalid Dedication on the Athenian Akropolis. Manolis Korres' recent discovery of the monument's pedestals, fully published in this volume, has led Andrew Stewart to a complete reconsideration of the statues' form, date, and significance. He demonstrates that this is the only Hellenistic royal donation of sculpture whose donor, location, and form are all known; the only one securely identified in copy; and the only one whose life can be glimpsed from beginning to end, a period ranging over 2200 years. Illustrated with photographs of all ten Barbarians, and 26 drawings by Manolis Korres, it systematically traces the Barbarians' impact upon Roman and Renaissance art, and the intellectual history of art and archaeology.

1. Rediscovery: scholars, sleuths, and stones
2. Appropriation: gladiators for Christ
3. Reproduction: Vei Victis!
4. Genesis: Barbarians at the gates
Conclusion: 'The truth in sculpture'
Documentary Essay: the pedestals and the Akropolis South Wall Manolis Korres.

Subject Areas: History of art: ancient & classical art,BCE to c 500 CE [ACG]