Great Altar of Zeus and Athena at Pergamon

Introduction to the Hellenistic Period and Pergamon00:00:00

The speaker expresses a love for Hellenistic Greek sculpture, particularly two fragments from the Great Altar of Pergamon. The Hellenistic period began after the death of Alexander the Great, whose empire spread Greek culture across a vast territory. After his death, his empire was split among his generals, one of whom founded Pergamon in what is now Turkey.

The Gigantomachy: A Celestial Battle00:01:40

The frieze depicts the Gigantomachy, a mythical battle between the Olympian gods and the giants for supremacy. This battle is a central theme in Greek mythology, symbolizing the triumph of order over chaos.

Athena in Battle00:02:01

One fragment features Athena. She is depicted as graceful and in control, gripping the giant Alcyoneus by the hair, pulling him from the earth and disempowering him. His mother watches in horror. The sculpture is noted for its dramatic composition, use of diagonals, deep carving, and the interplay of light and shadow. Nike crowns Athena, emphasizing her imminent victory.

Zeus in Battle00:04:41

The second fragment showcases Zeus, who is equally composed and in control, despite battling three giants simultaneously. Assisted by his eagle and thunderbolts, Zeus defeats his opponents. The sense of heroism and the momentary action in the sculpture are highlighted. The battle symbolizes Greek culture's victory over chaotic forces and their military successes.

The Immersive Experience of the Frieze00:06:26

The frieze's figures appear to spill out from the wall, with some figures extending onto the altar's stairs, creating an immersive experience for the viewer. This design draws the audience into the unfolding drama.

Pergamon Altar's Journey to Berlin00:07:15

The sculptures are housed in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin due to Prussia's 19th-century ambition to rival French and British museums and inherit the classical tradition. The museum has reconstructed the altar and frieze, offering a glimpse of its original grandeur in Pergamon, a city once home to a vast library, garrison, and royal palace.