More coverage of the restored Callimachus victory monument that has gone on display in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens.

From:
Xinhua

“Callimachus Victory” monument re-assembled after 2,500 years
2010-10-27 07:38:04

ATHENS, Oct. 26 (Xinhua)– Greek Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos unveiled on Tuesday at the New Acropolis Museum the “Victory of Callimachus”, an ancient Greek monument which was re-assembled and is on display to the public for first time as a complete monument after 2,500 years.

The statue which depicts Nike (Victory), in the form of a woman with wings, on top of an inscribed column, was created by marble in honor of Callimachus, one of the generals who took part and died in the Battle of Marathon between Athenians and Persian invaders in 490 BC.

It was dedicated to the goddess Athena and erected next to the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis hill shortly after the Greeks’ unexpected victory in the battle.

It is believed to have been severely damaged by Persians a decade later when they finally conquered Athens and burned the Acropolis monuments. The head of the statue and parts of the torso and hands were never recovered.

As Greece marks this year the 2,500th anniversary of the Battle which is regarded as most significant in the course of European history, Greek archaeologists restored and put together for first time all the parts of the fragmented sculpture dispersed until recently in various museums.

The reconstruction and display of “Callimachus’ Victory” was done in the framework of a series of events organized by Greek authorities this year to commemorate the anniversary of 2,500 years since the Battle of Marathon, culminating with the 28th Athens Classic Marathon to be held on October 31.

More than 12,500 athletes from across the world are expected to run this year the 42 kilometers distance from the Marathon to Athens, following the steps of the legendary ancient Greek soldier Pheidippides who ran from the battlefield to announce the victory and died of exhaustion.

“The anniversary of the 2,500 anniversary of the Battle of Marathon is a great opportunity to showcase the country’s comparative advantages,” said Geroulanos, calling on people from across the world to visit Greece which this year struggles to overcome an acute economic crisis.