An ancient statue of Greek goddess Athena discovered in present-day southern Turkey may hold a link to the Greek myth of Erichthonius, a child said to have grown up under the goddess’s protection. A new study points to a projection beside the figure’s right knee as evidence that a serpent once accompanied her.
Archaeologist Semih Orhan examined the sculpture, found in 2013 on West Street in the ancient city of Perge, in front of the Cornutus Palaestra. His findings appeared in the 2026 issue of Arkeoloji Dergisi.
The statue, carved from a single block of white marble, measures 1.88 meters, or about 6 feet 2 inches, tall. It was recovered in six pieces and restored. Its head, left arm, and parts of its hands and base are missing, but enough survives to identify it as the Athena Giustiniani type. Across her chest is an aegis, protective armor decorated with Medusa’s head and snake motifs.
Serpent clue links ancient Athena statue to Greek myth of Erichthonius
Although no separate serpent survives at Perge, Orhan says the projection suggests one originally stood there. Better-preserved versions of Athena Giustiniani show a snake rising beside the goddess and winding around her spear. The ancient Greek writer Pausanias identified the snake associated with Athena as Erichthonius.
According to the myth, Erichthonius was born from the earth after Hephaestus attempted to sexually assault Athena. When she resisted, his semen fell onto her thigh. Athena wiped it off with a piece of wool and threw it onto the ground, where it fertilized the earth, giving birth to Erichthonius.
Athena placed the infant in a basket and entrusted him to the daughters of Cecrops, the half-man half-serpent legendary king of Athens, warning them not to open it. When they disobeyed her instructions, they discovered the child accompanied by a serpent. Overcome by terror or driven to madness, the women leaped to their deaths from the Acropolis. Athena subsequently raised Erichthonius under her protection.
Orhan argues that this connection casts Athena as more than a warrior. The snake represents guardianship, while her upright stance, raised helmet, and grounded spear in related sculptures suggest composure rather than combat.
Marble folds help date the statue to Roman rule
The design is thought to have originated around the late fifth or early fourth century B.C. Roman sculptors later reproduced it, with surviving examples in the Vatican, Ephesus and Kremna.
Orhan dates the Perge sculpture to the middle of the second century A.D., based on comparisons of its clothing folds and the carving of Medusa’s head on the protective garment crossing Athena’s chest. Deep drill marks in the drapery helped distinguish it from other versions.
The study also places the image within changing political ideals. Orhan links the original type to hopes for peace and justice after the Peloponnesian Wars. Its popularity under Roman rule, he suggests, reflected similar values during the Pax Romana, when Athena’s strength could also symbolize stability and protection.
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