Images of Women and Goddesses

From the Museum's Ancient Greek World Collection

Silver Tetradrachm ca. 449-410 b.c. Silver Tetradrachm
ca. 449-410 BC
Athens
29-126-404
The head of Athena is on the obverse, an owl with olive branch on the reverse. The goddess (in Greek, Athena) is a punning reference to the city (in Greek, Athenai) that honored her as its chief protective deity. The owl as Athena's favorite bird and the olive, which was one of the city's most lucrative exports, came in time to stand for Athens throughout the Mediterranean world.
Dia. 24.0 mm. Obverse: Photo courtesy Registrar's Office, Univ. of Pennsylvania Museum.
Reverse: Photo courtesy Donald White. (large version)
Mable Head of Athena 2nd century b.c. Marble Head of Athena
2nd century BC
Purchased in Cairo
MS 4026
Athena was the daughter of Zeus and originally a Mycenaean palace goddess. Her function later expanded to include the roles of guardian of cities, war goddess, patroness of arts and crafts, and promoter of wisdom. She is always shown modestly clothed and often armed. The owl is her special bird. The back of the sculpture seems deliberately cut and at least one rectangular hole looks ancient. This suggests that the head once formed part of a relief. Given its size, the unfinished appearance of the top of the helmet, and the foreshortening evident in its execution, the head may have been part of a sculpted pediment group, perhaps originally set up in Alexandria.
H. 30.0; W. 24.0; Th. 16.0 cm. Photo courtesy Mediterranean Section, Univ. of Pennsylvania Museum. (large version)
Attic Red Figure Pyxis ca. 400-390 b.c. Attic Red Figure Pyxis
ca. 400-390 BC
By the Meleager Painter
MS 5462
Heracles and Hebe's wedding in the presence of the gods on Mt. Olympus. The lid of the pyxis shows Heracles leading Hebe to his house, while an Eros or Cupid figure carries a marriage torch in front of the wedded couple. Hebe is dressed in a white and gold chiton and himation and wears a wedding veil which another Eros adjusts. A goddess lights the scene with a pair of torches. Athena and Zeus sit enthroned, while Hera leans intimately against Zeus's shoulder. A third Eros reclines against Zeus's throne next to a high-stemmed censer for burning incense. Behind the Eros is a low, footed chest, probably a wedding gift. Two women carry a jewel box for the bride and a vessel containing water for her bridal bath.
H. 9.0; Dia. 21.8 cm. Photo courtesy Public Information Office, Univ. of Pennsylvania Museum. (large version)
South Italian Greek Terracotta Votive Figurine ca. 450-425 b.c. South Italian Greek Terracotta Votive Figurine
ca. 450-425 BC
MS 1857
Either a Demeter or Persephone figurine or a priestess. The low polos headdress is associated with both, but the apron suggests a priestess. Carrying a piglet, she holds aloft a circular box or kanoun. Inexpensive terracottas depicting female subjects turn up in very large quantities in sanctuaries dedicated to female goddesses throughout the Greek world. Women were especially active in all aspects of Demeter's cult.
H. 32.5; W. 13.0; Th. 8.0 cm. UM neg. S8-55808. (large version)
Attic Black Figure Amphora ca. 530-525 b.c. Attic Black Figure Amphora
ca. 530-525 BC
In the manner of the Lysippides Painter
MS 5467
Both sides portray scenes of mythological battle, which symbolize the Greek preoccupation with struggle as well as their love for detailed battle narrations. Such scenes are a hallmark of Archaic art. Here, Heracles (at the left) fights with two Amazons, a race of female warriors thought to live on the fringes of the civilized world.
H. 41.0; Dia. 28.0 cm. Photo by Maria Daniels for the Perseus Project. (larger version)
Italic Low-Footed Red Figure Bowl with High Handles 4th century b.c. Italic Low-Footed Red Figure Bowl with High Handles
4th century BC
On loan, Philadelphia Museum of Art
L-64-23 detail
The most common toilet article appearing on vases is the mirror, usually made of polished silver or bronze. These and a wide variety of cosmetic implements are often excavated in tombs, sanctuaries dedicated to female divinities, and in the domestic quarters of ancient towns.
Photo courtesy Mediterranean Section, Univ. of Pennsylvania Museum. (large version)
Western Asia Minor Marble Funeral Stele Hellenistic/1st century b.c. Western Asia Minor Marble Funeral Stele
Hellenistic/1st century BC
MS 4023
A man reclines in an arched niche on a tall dining couch or kline. Leaning on his left elbow supported by a pillow, he holds aloft a funeral wreath. A woman, probably his wife, is shown in an attitude of contemplation with her cloak or himation pulled over her head. The three-legged table is laden with food. Male and female servants, done in a smaller scale in keeping with their lesser status, fill out the remainder of this melancholy scene. The inscription across the architrave reads "Worthy Menemachos, son of Diphilos, farewell."
H. 70.5; W. 47.0; Th. 8.5 cm. UM neg. NC35-3317. (large version)
Attic White Ground Lekythos Late 5th century b.c. Attic White Ground Lekythos
Late 5th century BC
Attica
MS 4082
A girl seated on a chair with a wreath in her hands; her wool basket is set to the right. The undulating snake, which appears above, is traditionally associated with the dead from the Geometric period on.
H. 13.4; Dia. 5.0 cm. Photo by Maria Daniels for the Perseus Project. (large version)

The Ancient Greek World Index