L15 - Conmemorating Victories, Heroes

Cards (9)

How did Hellenistic rulers choose to commemorate themselves and their victories?
They used art! Glorified their victories, showing them as powerful leaders who overcame significant challenges. The Gigantomachy for example, is a symbol of victory of order over chaos, like their victory over the other "barbaric" cultures. Self-portraits were also used as reminders of their authorities and their achievements.
Recognize the work of art:
Title: Gallic chieftain killing himself and his wife
Author: Epigonos
Style: Hellenistic
Medium: marble
Place: Rome
Original: bronze, 230-220 BCE
Recognize the work of art:
Title: Dying Gaul
Author: Epigonos
Style: Hellenistic
Medium: marble
Place: Rome
Original: bronze, 230–220 BCE
Recognize the work of art:
Title: Nike of Samothrace
Date: 190 BCE (3-2nd century)
Style: Hellenistic
Medium: marble
Place: Samothrace, Greece
Recognize the work of art:
Title: The Terme Ruler
Date: 200-100 BCE
Style: Hellenistic
Medium: bronze
Place: Rome
Recognize the work of art:

Title: Altar of Zeus (West Front)
Date: 160 BCE
Style: Hellenistic Baroque (ionic precint)
Place: Pergamon, Turkey
Description: Gigantomachy (frieze)
Why is the Pregamon Altar important?
• a victory monument and offering to gods
• gift to the citizens of Pergamon, for the public
• victory over barbarism (Attalid, wins Celts and Macedonians)
• celebration of the city’s founding legend and cult to Athena Nikephoros
Recognize the work of art:
Title: The Telephos Frieze
Date: 160 BCE
Place: Pergamon Altar
Description: Herakles discovers the baby Telephos exposed
to die on Mount Parthenion
What stories can we observed in the Great Alta of Pergamon?
Gigantomachy (Zeus & Athena vs Giants)
Heraklos discovers baby Telephos

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