Ancient Greece

Peplos Kore

Acropolis (Athens, Greece)

530 BCE 

Unlike the Egyptian and Mesopotamia deities, the Greek gods and goddesses differed from human beings only in that they were immortal. It has been said that Greeks made their Gods into humans and their humans into Gods. Interesting how they found a relating connection between the two. I liked how they thought one could transcend into the other. 

After reading about this statue, I was drawn more to it. The sixth century BCE sculpture renders a soft female form that is much more natural than the other masculine, defined sculptures of men during the same time period. 

The woman of whom the statue was made was formally known as Peplos Kore. Recently scholars thought that she wore a "peplos"- simple, long, woolen belted garment. After careful examination of the statue, it was realized that she wears four different garments, one of which only goddesses wore. I liked the connection the Greek people made to sacred garments and their Gods, it's interesting to think if the garments had certain symbolism for them. The missing left hand of the goddess would have identified her by the attribute she held. I kind of like the missing identification because then anyone could have fit into her position. 

If there was one Goddess that I'd assume this was it would be either Hera (Juno) or Aphrodite (Venus). Hera was the wife of Zeus, the almighty God whom may have administered the purpose of the garment. Hera was also known as the goddess of marriage. The other fitting Goddess, Aphrodite was the daughter to the almighty Zeus. She was the goddess of love and beauty, of which the garments would only add to.