Travis Skowronski

HST 301

3-5-01.

Hellenistic Art under the Attalids.

            Architecture is one art form that still remains today as a testament to the Hellenistic period.  Architecture in this period was a variation of the classical form but still exhibited many of its own distinctive styles.  This architecture is seen as “…an expression of the experience and mentality of the age” (Pollitt 230).  This experience that was represented was of the social, political, and cultural situation  in which Hellenistic peoples lived.  Looking at the Attalids and their rule of Pergamon during this time period one can find certain strengths and weaknesses in architecture and sculpture to aid our  understanding of this situation. 

            Pergamon’s engagement with and victory over the Gauls, Antigonos Gonatas, and Antiochos Heirax set the stage for Pergamon to be a political and cultural center of the Hellenistic world (Pollitt 83).  This was seen in the many different sculptures dedicated in the city after these victories, thus advancing the city as a center for art.  It can be said that these sculptures served a political significance in the embrace of Pergamon’s victories: she remained independent.  This independence is an important part of Pergamon and can be found represented in art as a means of understanding the situation of the city. 

            Under the direction of Eumenes II Pergamon was transformed into its most impressive form.  He commissioned the architectural work that led to expansion of the city around the agora, temple of Athena, and library.  This included the great Altar of Zeus and the temple of the state religion among others.  This building was an example of one of the three architectural trends of the day: theatricality.  Theatricality was used in the planning and design of the buildings and reflected the theatrical mentality especially when dealing with spiritual sights.  The thought was that the temples were to be built in the most impressive views and landscapes usually in ascending order (Pollitt 230).  Looking deeper into this situation one can find a case of weaknesses of the culture.   It is found that often sights for temples were built on already designated holy sights (Pollitt 230).  So does this evidence provides a point of view of both a strength and weakness of Hellenistic culture.

            The Altar itself is a testament to Greek and Pergamon culture and can be examined as such.  The frieze depicts the gods' fight against their ancestors, the giants.  The defeat of the giants by the Olympian gods was seen “…as a symbol, of the establishment of the fundamental values and institutions of Greek culture” (Pollitt 101).  The Attalids were protectors of Greek culture and a sculpture of this sort demonstrated that (Pollitt 101).  The Altar also contained the story of Attalid foundation myth (Green 353).

Looking at the evidence that we have of Hellenistic architecture and sculpture in Pergamon, it can be said that overall many of the considerations that went into the production of these artworks were of a social, cultural, and political nature. Art can, therefore, be used to examine these situations in Pergamon and other Hellenistic cities. 

Green, Peter.  Alexander To Actium.  University of California Press.  Los Angeles 1990.

Pollitt, J.J.  Art in the Hellenistic Age.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge 1986.

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