Theseus (Kotzia Sq.)
The brass sculpture that symbolizes Theseus in Kotzia Square.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1990 Was created in this decade by Sophia Vari, wife of Fernando Botero.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
This bronze sculpture symbolizes Theseus and features asymmetrical curves and straight lines that give it a rather abstract tone.
What I can't see
Theseus, the son of Aegeus, was one of the most important mythical heroes of antiquity and one of Athens’ great kings. He united the 10 tribes of Athens into one kingdom. The placement of the sculpture in front of the city hall was not a random decision. In 2009-2010, a proposal was made to remove Theseus’ statue and replace it with a 10-metre-high statue of Alexander the Great on horseback. The proposal caused a mixed reaction, due to the suggested statue not being a good fit for the space but also due to it being considered a nationalist response to North Macedonia’s own nationalist decision to place a statue of Alexander in the central square of Skopje. Theseus will remain in place however, since the sculptor did not consent to its movement, arguing that it was made in an ideal scale for this particular space.
Bibliography
Antonopoulou Z., (2003), Τα γλυπτά της Αθήνας, Υπαίθρια Γλυπτική1834-2004 [The sculptures of Athens, Outdoor sculpting 1834-2004], Potamos
Momford M.P.O., Lenardon R.J., (1985), Classical Mythology, 3rd ed., Longman
