Collection: Athens, Acropolis Museum
Title: Endoios Athena
Context: From Athens, Acropolis
Findspot: Found at Athens, Acropolis (found on the North slope, just below the Erechtheion)
Summary: Seated statue of Athena
Object Function: Cult?
Sculptor: Literary attestation to Endoios
Material: Marble
Sculpture Type: Free-standing statue
Category: Single monument
Style: Late Archaic
Technique: In-the-round
Original or Copy: Original
Date: ca. 525 BC
Dimensions: H. 1.47 m
Scale: Slightly over life-size
Region: Attica
Period: Late Archaic


Subject Description: Athena is seated on a cushioned diphros (stool), with both arms bent forward and with her left foot slightly advanced; her body seems to turn slightly to the right (as if she is about to rise from the stool?). She wears her aegis, or breastplate with Medusa's head (originally decorated with bronze snakes), over her belted chiton, which, as is indicated by the rippling folds, is a lightweight garment. Her long hair is divided into a thick undifferentiated mass at the back, and thin wavy locks at the front, cascading over the shoulders of the goddess (four strands on each side).

Condition: Fragmentary

Condition Description: The remains of the statue are comprised of several rejoined fragments, missing the head, the forearms, the front of the feet and parts of the throne. The surface is severely weathered, and the plinth is chipped, especially on the right side. Holes around the aegis and on the throne indicate places where metal embellishments were formerly attached.

Material Description: Island marble, according to Brouskari

Sources Used: Brouskari 1974, 71-72, figs. 134-35

Other Bibliography: Deyhle 1969, 12 ff.; Lippold 1950, 74 n. 4; Raubitschek 1949, 492, 495; Langlotz in Langlotz & Schrader 110 no. 60, pl. 85; Payne 1950, 46, pl. 116