"Stele of Diotima"
Stele of Diotima
Stele of Diotima, detail of trunk of palm tree with foot
Stele of Diotima, detail of upper body showing hand with divining liver
Stele of Diotima, detail of upper body
Stele of Diotima, detail of foot
| Collection: | Athens, National Archaeological Museum |
| Title: | "Stele of Diotima" |
| Context: | From Mantinea |
| Findspot: | Found at Mantinea (in 1887) |
| Summary: | A female figure standing next to a palm tree |
| Object Function: | Votive |
| Material: | Marble |
| Sculpture Type: | Stele, relief-decorated |
| Category: | Separated fragments |
| Style: | High Classical |
| Technique: | Medium relief |
| Original or Copy: | Original |
| Date: | ca. 425 BC - ca. 400 BC |
| Dimensions: | H. 1.48 m; W. 0.80 m |
| Scale: | Slightly under life-size |
| Region: | Arcadia |
| Period: | High Classical |
Subject Description: This large relief illustrates a female figure, standing in 3/4-view to the left, wearing a belted peplos. To her left is a palm tree (of which only the bottom of the trunk is preserved), and in her left hand, at waist level, she holds an object that has been identified as a divining liver. Because this woman seems to be a soothsayer, she has been identified as Diotima (known from Plato's Symposium:
Condition: Single piece
Condition Description: The top and left of the relief are missing. The surface is stained and slightly chipped.
Sources Used: