Athena: the Role of the Goddess Within Athenian Political Ideology and Imperial Propaganda

Abstract

This discussion analyses the fundamental role Athena assumed in the political ideology and imperial propaganda of the Athenian polis during the height of its Empire. The ways in which the goddess was implemented to transmit and filter ideological notions and propaganda internally within the polis and externally to subject states are assessed. The incorporation of the goddess in propaganda essentially relayed to a viewer that the deity supported the actions of the Athenians and thus she was used to provide divine sanction in order to justify the Athenians' domination of the former League members. This justification was primarily shown through a complex set of analogies and metaphors, which highlighted the superiority of the Athenian populace, and through the incorporation of the image of Athena on artistic pieces which effectively paid homage to the deity whilst also relaying her unwavering support of the Athenian people. The discussion analyses the development of the ideological notions which the Athenians used to justify their position, and examines how these ideas were transmitted through state art. The image of the goddess provided the Athenians with a common element through which they could bind the members of the subject states together in an amphictyonic relationship. The study analyses Athena's gradual modification in Athens which effectively aligned the goddess more closely with this polis. A brief examination of the role of Athena in Sparta and Corinth is included in order to elucidate the Athenians' particular conception of the deity. The functions which Athena performed in Athens appear to have been shared with or assumed by Aphrodite in these poleis, thus an analysis of Aphrodite is included in order to more clearly understand Athena's role in these two Peloponnesian states. The study focuses primarily on monumental sculpture in order to demonstrate how Athena's image was used in Athenian imperial propaganda. A brief analysis of numismatic and literary evidence is included in instances in which they offer supplementary evidence which provides a clearer interpretation of the subject matter depicted on artistic pieces.