Lemnian Athena

sculpture by Phidias

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June 30, 2026

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The Lemnian Athena was a sculpture created by the renowned Greek sculptor Phidias around 450-448 BCE. This artwork was dedicated by Athenian colonists who had settled on the island of Lemnos. While the original bronze sculpture no longer exists, marble copies are believed to be housed in Bologna and Dresden, offering a glimpse into its appearance. Phidias was a pivotal figure in Athenian art, overseeing the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon and establishing definitive images of the gods. The Lemnian Athena was one of several significant statues of Athena he created, alongside the Athena Promachos and the colossal Athena Parthenos.1

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Phidias
The so-called Lemnian Athena was dedicated as an offering by Athenian colonists who were sent to Lemnos between 451 and 448. A head of Athena in Bologna and two statues of Athena in Dresden are thought to be copies, in marble, of Phidias’s original work in bronze.
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The so-called Lemnian Athena was dedicated as an offering by Athenian colonists who were sent to Lemnos between 451 and 448. A head of Athena in Bologna and two statues of Athena in Dresden are thought to be copies, in marble, of Phidias’s original work in bronze.
Read More