The Frieze of the Temple of Athena Nike

Frieze of the Temple of Athena Nike

Key Dates
425
BC

A frieze ran all along the four side of temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis. It was 25.94 metres long and formed by 14 marble blocks. The frieze depicts on the eastern side an assembly of Olympian Gods and on the other three sides idealised scenes from historic battles, such as the Battle of Plataea (the victory of the Greeks over the Persians in 479 BC).

A whole block and parts of others were lost, so the reconstruction of some parts of the frieze is uncertain.   
Four blocks, two from the southern side and two from the western, are in the British Museum of London.

 

Origin & Collection
Discovered at: 
Acropolis
On display at: 
British Museum
Physical properties
Materials: 
Marble
Images
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