Marble fragment of a votive relief with Athena

Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, wears an Attic helmet, a belted peplos, and over her chest the aegis, a protective goatskin given to her by her father Zeus. The remainder of this relief, which is preserved in Athens, shows that Athena was represented standing before an altar and a votive relief in her own sanctuary. The relief was probably dedicated to her to fulfill a vow made by the donor in return for Athena's assurance of success in some venture. Such exchanges of favors were essential to the relationship between the ancient Greeks and their gods.

Credit: Gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust, 1989