Explore the Monument Base about the History of this artwork.
An argument regarding where the originals were placed at Pergamon started in the mid-twentieth century. Massimiliano Papini believes that the statues were placed on a circular pedestal with the Ludovisi Gaul as the centerpiece. Others argue that the sculptures were lined up on a rectangular base. Both arguments are weak due to the scarce and ambiguous archaeological evidence. As visitors entered the Sanctuary of Athena in the third and second centuries B.C., art historians in the book, Pergamon and the Hellenistic Kingdoms of the Ancient World often ask the question, how would the sculptures and their staging be perceived and interpreted, as well as how we view them in the modern-day?The theory that these larger than lifesize statues were placed on a rectangle pedestal created by Epigonos, is in favor as of today. It is approximated that about eighteen statues belonged on the base of the monument but unfortunately only two of them exist today. There are existing fragments of the head of the Dying Persian and also the Dying Barbarian Women in the Museo Palatino in Rome that may also be a part of this sculpture group.A circular pedestal would have been rare for its time. Although there is an example of one used at Miletos/Miletus to support a gilded statue of Eumenes II dedicated to the ruler in 167-166 B.C.
Miletus Pergamon Hellenistic Barbarian Miletos/Miletus Ludovisi Athena Eumenes II Gaul