The Legend of Knidia Today

0486412 - FLÚ 2018 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Bažant, Jan
The Legend of Knidia Today.
Eirene. Roč. 53, č. 1/2 (2017), s. 77-110. ISSN 0046-1628
Institutional support: RVO:67985955
Keywords : Aphrodite * Knidia * Praxiteles * feminism
OECD category: History (history of science and technology to be 6.3, history of specific sciences to be under the respective headings)
Method of publishing: Metadata only

In approximately 360 BC, the Greek sculptor Praxiteles created the famous statue of Aphrodite, which was known as Knidia in antiquity because it stood in her sanctuary at Knidos. As the first depiction of the naked female body on a monumental scale, the statue often figured in ancient legends. Recently, the tale of the amorous stain on her marble thigh has become extremely popular in Classical Archaeology and the History of Art. Any interpretation of the Tale of Stain must take into account that its original audience was aware of two things about Knidia. First, this statue was not Aphrodite. Second, Aphrodite knew about it very well and this was crucial, it was a work of art with tremendous sacred power. The religious aspects of the story of lover of Knidia are to be taken seriously.

Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0281942