The goddess Bendis stands to the right. She holds a phiale (libation bowl) in her right hand and a spear in the left. She is dressed in a short chitoniskos, chlamys (a cloak pinned at the neck and falls down her back), Phrygian pilos (cap), endromides (soft boots) and nebris (fawn skin) is tied at her waist. Ten men, depicted in a small-scale, are coming towards her. All wear wreaths on their heads. They are naked youths, except for the first two men who wear himatia and are older. The first one holds a torch in his right hand. They are possibly identified as athletes of a torch race, the first two being the trainer and the sponsor, who won a race and dedicated their victory and the relief to the goddess. Torch races were taken place in Athens during Bendideia, a festival in honor of the goddess.
Caption Marble votive relief, offered to the goddess Bendis by winner athletes of a torch race
Mythic people Bendis (Goddess)
Type Relief
Artist/Creator Attic workshop
Origin temple of Bendis in Peiraieus (?)
Current position The British Museum, London
Index number 1895,1028.1
Dating 400-375 BC
Notes
British Museum 1895,1028.1 - relief; votive offering
Τσιαφάκη 1998. Η Θράκη στην αττική αγγειογραφία του 5ου αι. π.Χ. Κομοτηνή. σελ. 209, Σημ. 964.
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Myths