Frieze from the Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis [3]

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Marble relief from the West Frieze of the Temple of Athena-Nike: Greeks clash with Greeks in a fierce battle, possibly depicting the Battle of Megara in 458 BC. In the center, chaos erupts around a fallen warrior. A figure on the left drops to drag his comrade to safety. Opposite him, an enemy lunges forward to grab an ankle while shielding himself with a shield. On the far side of this group, warriors from opposing sides engage in fierce combat. The figure on the right raises his right arm and bends his elbow, likely originally holding a spear. The little temple of Athena Nike was built on a site previously occupied by an earlier shrine. Unlike the Parthenon, it employed more slender proportions characteristic of the Ionic order of architecture. It boasts a dramatic high position overlooking westward from the edge of the Athenian Acropolis, situated next to the entrance. The external frieze is composed of a series of battle scenes involving Greeks and their adversaries. Like much of the temple, the friezes were dismantled and reused for fortifications in late medieval times. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, aiming to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe, accessible for free. Scan the World is an open-source, community-driven effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate.