The Acropolis Museum, the Slope Exhibition Hall of the Acropolis, Pentelicus Marble, the end of the 5th century BC (the late Classical Age), and the three broken fragments that were just split belong to the same set of relief originals
Basic Information
Name: Relief depicting Pan and Nymphs (Pan and Nymphs Floating Relief)
Era: The end of the 5th century BC (Classical Greece, not the Hellenistic period as previously stated, correction)
Material: Pentelicus Mountain Marble
Size: Height 0.66m, Length 0.685m
Excavation: 1876, the southern slope of the Acropolis, near the Asclepius Sanctuary, originally belonging to the votive relief of the Pan and Nymphs Sanctuary
Interpretation of the Picture by Area (from left to right)
1. Top-left niche: Pan
Half-goat mountain herdsman with goat horns and goat legs, human upper body, right hand raised holding the shepherd's staff (goat horn staff), body protruding from the rock niche, representing the deity emerging from the cave. This is a classic composition technique in ancient Greek floating reliefs depicting cave sanctuaries.
2. Bottom-left: The devotee offering (the actual person offering the votive relief)
Bearded adult man, wearing a long robe, looking up at Pan, with an respectful posture. This relief was made by him to pray, contribute funds, and have it carved for Pan and Nymphs to express gratitude for the blessings bestowed by the gods.
3. Center of the picture: Two Nymphs
Two natural spirits, heavy flowing robes, standing gracefully, heads relatively intact. Nymphs are goddesses of springs and mountains, and together with Pan guard this cave sanctuary. The left Nymph lowers her head slightly, with a calm expression; the right Nymph holds a bunch of grape vines, hinting at nature and abundance.
4. Bottom-right: Remaining fabric fragments
There was originally a third Nymph, now incomplete, only leaving the remaining fabric patterns. The relief base has multiple fractures and missing parts, which were the original damaged state when excavated.