Athena Promachos

Many religions were syncretistic, meaning that as they grew and came into contact with other religions, they adopted new beliefs and modified their practices to reflect their changing environment. Both Greek and Roman religious beliefs were deeply influenced by the so-called mystery religions of the East, including the Egyptian cult of Isis, which revealed beliefs and practices to the initiated that remained unexplained, or mysterious, to the uninitiated. Most popular Roman cults had associations with these mystery religions and included the prospect of an afterlife.

The statuette is recognized as Athena Promachos ("the Warrior") by her helmet and stance, her stiff left leg advanced. The details of her garments imitate the Korai (statues of maidens) of the late 6th century BC. Her raised right arm supported a spear.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Sir Francis Cook, Richmond, by 1882, [mode of acquisition unknown] [Michaelis 1882, 627, no. 18]; Wyndham F. Cook, London, 1901, by inheritance [Cook Catalogue, Vol. II, no. 24, pl. XXVIII]; Humphrey W. Cook, London, 1905, by inheritance; Sale, London, Christie's, July 14, 1925, lot 106 [illust.]; Joseph Brummer, Paris and New York, 1925, by purchase; purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1925; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.