One
of the earliest, sculpures of Acropolis in low relief, represents the hero in combat with
the Hydra, whose snaky coils fill one end of the pediment, the other
end being occupied by the chariot of Heracles and a gigantic crab.
The most conspicuous of the pedimental groups represents Heracles
wrestling with Triton, the "Old Man of the Sea", the other half of
it is occupied by a strange three-bodied monster and the three
intertwined tails of this balance the fishlike tail of Triton as a
filling for the narrowing space of the gable. This group probably
ornamented one end of the early temple of Athena.
Another
fine architectural pediment group is that representing the
introduction of Heracles to the assembly of the gods on Olympus. It
shows Hera and Zeus seated and Heracles in the corner. A further
pediment sculpture is that which shows the scene of the slaughter of
Troilus by Achilles. A fountain-house fills the centre, with a
maiden outside it. Parts of Troilus and a tree are visible at the
side. Another great group shows two lions tearing a bull. All these
sculptures show the remains of rich colouring, and their effect when
placed on the buildings to which they belonged must have been very
impressive.
The
colossal figures in Parian marble which were placed in the pediment
over the colonnade added to the early temple of Athena in the time
of Pisistratus. In the centre was a figure of Athena striking with
her spear a giant prostrate at her feet. Portions of two more giants
are to be seen; the whole composition must have contained other gods
and giants, and must have been a fine example of the bold and severe
style of archaic Attic work.
The series of female statues which constitutes the chief treasure of
the Acropolis excavations, most of them were found carefully buried
in the space just to the north of the Erechtheum. They must have
been thrown down by the Persians when they sacked Athens, and buried
by the Athenians when they returned to the ruins of their city; and
therefore they offer us characteristic examples of the art of
sculpture as it was practised at Athens in the years preceding 480
B.C. We do not know whom these statues were intended to represent:
their official name seems to have been "Maidens" (Korai), and it
appears to have been customary to dedicate such statues to Athena,
perhaps as a memorial of some service.
One
of the earliest, sculpures of Acropolis in low relief, represents the hero in combat with
the Hydra, whose snaky coils fill one end of the pediment, the other
end being occupied by the chariot of Heracles and a gigantic crab.
The most conspicuous of the pedimental groups represents Heracles
wrestling with Triton, the "Old Man of the Sea", the other half of
it is occupied by a strange three-bodied monster and the three
intertwined tails of this balance the fishlike tail of Triton as a
filling for the narrowing space of the gable. This group probably
ornamented one end of the early temple of Athena. 
Another
fine architectural pediment group is that representing the
introduction of Heracles to the assembly of the gods on Olympus. It
shows Hera and Zeus seated and Heracles in the corner. A further
pediment sculpture is that which shows the scene of the slaughter of
Troilus by Achilles. A fountain-house fills the centre, with a
maiden outside it. Parts of Troilus and a tree are visible at the
side. Another great group shows two lions tearing a bull. All these
sculptures show the remains of rich colouring, and their effect when
placed on the buildings to which they belonged must have been very
impressive.
The
colossal figures in Parian marble which were placed in the pediment
over the colonnade added to the early temple of Athena in the time
of Pisistratus. In the centre was a figure of Athena striking with
her spear a giant prostrate at her feet. Portions of two more giants
are to be seen; the whole composition must have contained other gods
and giants, and must have been a fine example of the bold and severe
style of archaic Attic work.
