2020 IB Extended Essays

13

In this piece, it is important to note the extent of movement, drawn from the drapes

covering Athena. Featuring deep, diagonally linear folds (around her legs), illustrating

her swift push forward and power in her stride in this scene. Eumenes II manages to

depict movement with individuals as well as placement, with Athena bracketed by the

two titans, Alcyoneus in front and his mother below – while Nike is placed behind her.

The dramatic placements of limbs and the ‘struggling’ scene Eumenes manages to create,

highlights the virtuoso nature of the sculpture. Along with the expressions drawn onto

what we can see on the titans’ faces, are intricate – embodying the helplessness of

Alcyoneus, and the worried and frightened expression of his mother. These technical

styles of achieving realism, abundant in the Hellenistic Period, are all depicted within

this frieze. The incorporation of realistic movement, differentiating placements of

characters within the high relief and the clear expression of human emotion on the faces

of the titans. The snake/serpent seen restricting Alcyoneus is one of Athenas’ sacred

animal. The snake is also often representative of guardians at the Acropolis and speak of

knowledge and prophecies. Similar to the fragment of Zeus, this frieze is aimed to glorify

the power of Athena and to visually celebrate their iconic victory over the Titans.