CLAS 145b Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Pergamon Altar, Attalid Dynasty, Carl Humann

• School: Brandeis University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: CLAS 145b
• Professor: alexandraratzlaff

Document Summary

Attalid dynasty: altar of zeus at pergamon lecture. The monumental altar of zeus is filled with propaganda as it was used to achieve religious and political goals. Carl humann led the german expedition in the 19th century to dismantle and bring back the altar"s remains for preservation in a museum at berlin. The altar uses ionic columns and massive statues (larger than life size). 370 feet of marble frieze adorns the massive altar. It is located on a huge platform like the. The sculpture is in the high classical greek style, such as the works by phidias and. The sculpture in the altar juxtaposes typical hellenistic sculpture, which depicts great drama, emotion, and movement, such as the laocoon and the drunken woman. The frieze is carved in extremely high relief. Some scholars suggest that the pergamon altar associates pergamon with 5th century athens (victories achieved by both). The roof contained statues of griffins, lions, horses, and early gargoyles.