Neck amphora with Athena

This beautiful neck amphora from Athens was probably a votive offering for the goddess Athena. The goddess herself is depicted on the front, taking off her armour. The reverse side shows Nike, goddess of victory, offering a libation. The combination of Athena at rest and the goddess Nike appears to be an allusion to the end of the Second Persian War (481−479 BC). The amphora can be dated to that period on stylistic grounds. The Athenians were naturally full of gratitude to the goddess of their city, and she was showered with votive offerings in her temple.