These objects, including large numbers of female figurines, were offered to an earth-based goddess most likely originally named Evgonía/Ευγονία, ‘good fertility’. Her epithet among the Aeginetans is Aphaía, and it is Diktynna of the Nets on Crete.”. ( Log Out /  This has suggested to historians that Aphaea was a goddess that was considered a protector of pregnant and nursing women, as well as babies. The focal area is the sculpture itself. Aegina’s strategic location in the western Aegean made the island a formidable trade centre and sea power in classical Greece, and a significant early rival to Athens and Sparta. 502-213-5152. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The Aegina people built a temple, the Temple of Aphaea, in her honor; the ruins of it still stand to this day. Kallimachos’ Hymn to Artemis tells how Britomartis, whose name means ‘sweet virgin,’ was similarly escaping pursuit when she fell into a net (or caught her dress on a myrtle). You did very good job on your essay, you covered all the topics that was asked and you were also very detailed. The dimensionality contributes to the overall design and effect of work in regards; to viewers can immediately indentify the struggle of this warrior and his determination to continue to serve until he takes his very last breath and not surrender. Registered students may log in to the course at elearning.kctcs.edu. Both Pausanias and Herodotus describe how the mother-daughter pair Auxesia and Damia, Goddesses ‘of the fertility of the earth’ equivalent to Demeter and Persephone, were worshipped on Aegina. Temple of Aphaia location atop the pine-covered hill. By chance, I discovered the Mountain Goddess again in a dusty antique shop near the Aegina port. Built on a hill, at 160 meters, it is surrounded by pine trees and it stands out for its unique energy. The Temple of Athena Aphaea (the second Temple) was given its definite shape about 500-480 BCE and from then onwards no addition was made to it. This sculpture was composed in 510 BCE. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Laura in Priestess House with Temple behind. Like Aphaía herself, the Goddess in Greece has survived from ancient times to the present day, hidden in continuously recurring symbols such as the mountain and the net. The sanctuary was dedicated to the cult of Aphaia, a local deity later assimilated by Athena. The Temple of Aphaia (or Afea) is one of the major attractions that one can see on the island of Aegina. The warrior has been badly injured and refusing to… [Aegina, early 20th C]. This is the course blog for HUM120: Introduction to Humanities taught by Associate Professor Stacy Taylor at Jefferson Community & Technical College. Louisville, Kentucky 40202 ( Log Out /  Fallen Warrior from the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina. The scene is thought to depict Hercules' attack on the city of … Both the story of the disappearance of the maiden Goddess, and Aphaía’s orginal identity as a Goddess of the agricultural year, link her to the mysteries of Demeter and Persephone. Also he is muscular but his body is somewhat small in stature. I selected this sculpture from the textbook The Western Humanities, page 56. We believe that the brilliant histories of art belong to everyone, no matter their background. Temple of Aphaia location atop the pine-covered hill. Classical Greek art changed rapidly as Greece itself went through wars and imperial transformations. The articulation of the artist is immaculate it does create eye movement from the shield, to his arm pushing up down to his injured leg. Trebonianus Gallus — emperor or athlete? There was a Cretan trading settlement on Aegina and traces of human presence on the Aphaía site since the 4th millenium BCE. Filed under All About Essays, Ancient Times, Written By Students. I felt connected to the women of the past, and to all of us in the present who are doing what we can to cherish the sacred flame of women’s wisdom, and to keep it alive for the women of the future. About Temple of Aphaea - Aegina. I believe it was a symbol of local poleis pride but also a site used in, and affected by, inter- poleis conflict and rivalry. It has a tremendous appeal on this piece of art. Goddesses from Hum Div / JCTC THE TOP 10 ANCIENT GREEK ARTWORKS Mask of Agamemnon the majestic bronze, found in the sea off Greece conveys the magic of Greek mythology. While fleeing from Minos, who lusted after her, she cast herself into nets cast for a catch of fish. This sculpture is very expressive in nature. Lauded as one of the most developed and beautiful archeological sites, the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina was a locally focused sanctuary that celebrated a very niche yet much revered goddess. It stands in a beautiful spot above the pine forests in the hills of Aegina, with fabulous views across the Saronic Gulf. I find it very interesting to learn about all the different sculptures there are, and how someone took the time to build them Keep up the job work, look forward to reading more of your work. Other versions of the legend say that the nymph Aphaía, being chased by a god intent on rape, was made invisible in the thick forest surrounding what is now the temple site and so was saved. Her temple was ‘a place principally of female cult’. On a bridal belt buckle, the triangular, net-patterned Goddess figure – reminiscent of some in the archaeological museum of Aegina – sits over the woman’s belly, bestowing blessings of power and fertility. The Cretans say (the myths about her are native to Crete) that … she enjoyed races and hunts and was particularly dear to Artemis. These pedimental sculptures, remarkably well-preserved, are now located in the Munich Glyptothek [photo right]. 109 E Broadway You were very descriptive about the lines and forms and also about the sculpture as a whole. The triangular mountain shape is often stylised in ancient art to represent the body of the Goddess, frequently in conjunction with net motifs. Yordani with dikti, worn in Salamina & Attica [Museum of Greek Folk Art], Fragments of roof decoration from 7thC BCE temple structures, with original painting [Museum at the Sanctuary of Aphaia, Aetina], Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Buried underground, the remains of the earlier buildings were remarkably well preserved, and retain clear traces of colourful paint. The earliest temple structures from the 7th and 6th centuries BCE were destroyed by fire, and the temple we see today was built around 500 BCE over their ruins. Both Mount Oros, Aegina’s central mountain, and Mount Dikte on Crete have this form. In Aphaía’s unseen presence, I felt a sense of all that is wise and strong yet invisible to the eye. The texture has appears to be smooth except for the areas of his injuries. My main work in Greece is to research surviving Goddess images in traditional women’s songs, dances and clothing. This sculpture is very expressive in nature. c. 500-490 BCE. I have been interested to discover that women’s ritual dance songs from Eleusis, Megara, Salamina (and other parts of Attica where woman-centred ritual practices were strong) refer to mountains, nets and boats; streams and rain clouds, signs of fertility representing the nymphs; as well as swallows, spring flowers and other symbols of Persephone. The material used appears to be a stone craved into this sculpture of the warrior with lots of details of torture and injuries he has suffered. Women’s festive costumes from these places feature Goddess embroideries, mountain motifs, and the yordan, a remarkable ceremonial adornment which protects the throat and breast with a dikti, a beaded net. Aphaía  (Αφαία / Ah-FAY-ah) was the key Goddess on the Greek island of Aegina, worshipped nowhere else under that name. He will try to redeem himself by making the effort to get up. The artist has executed the method of expressionist to communicate heighten emotions. Ivory votive offering from the Archaic period [National Archaelogical Museum, Athens]. The appearance of the warrior speaks with lots of boldness. Similar figures are incised on a decorative gourd Through items like these, the apparently vanished Goddess remains present for those who have My winter visit to Aphaía’s temple was blessed by sun breaking through the clouds and a strong cold wind which kept other visitors away and gave us time and tranquillity to attune in meditation. Pausanius and other commentators translate ‘Diktynna’ as ‘Goddess of the Nets’, from the Greek word ‘δίχτυ’, but Carol Christ correctly reminds us that Dicte or Dikte is the Cretan mountain Goddess, so her name could well be pre-Greek with an entirely different original meaning. Rethinking a modern attribution. This sculpture is very emotional and leaves viewers with a sense of integrity. We created Smarthistory to provide students around the world with the highest-quality educational resources for art and cultural heritage—for free. You did a great job of covering all the topics for the essay. I look forward to reading more of your essays throughout the semester. This sculpture leaves viewers with the impression that he is striving to go in the direction that his shield is in.