Horse of Selene - Item #69

  24 Inches High x 33 Inches Wide x 11 Inches Deep The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, is an astounding example of Classical Greek architecture and art. It was built by the architects Ictinus and Callicrates while the supervisor, and also the artistic director, for the project was the sculptor Phidias. Situated on the Acropolis in Athens, the Parthenon, at its prime, was a temple of white marble with countless colorful sculptures. Today, it is partially in ruins. The pediments, which are architectural elements similar to gables, were the last areas of the Parthenon to receive decoration. This horse sculpture is one of the horses of Selene, the moon goddess. Selene and the god of the sun, Helios, are shown driving their chariots in opposite corners of the east pediment, the pediment that illustrated the birth of Athena from Zeus's head. Reconstructions of the pediment reveal that only the top portions of the gods and horses were visible as these scenes were designed