--- title: Terracotta Bust of an Underworld Goddess from Pella author: Nathalie Choubineh source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19367/terracotta-bust-of-an-underworld-goddess-from-pell/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2024-08-30 --- # Terracotta Bust of an Underworld Goddess from Pella _Authored by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/)_ ## Image File [![Terracotta Bust of an Underworld Goddess from Pella](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19367.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19367.jpg) ## Image Caption Terracotta bust of an underworld goddess from Pella, mid-4th century BCE. Archaeological Museum of Pella, North Macedonia. The ancient [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Pella, the second capital of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia, was the birthplace of [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) and his son, [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/). It remained a prosperous metropolis throughout the eventful periods of Macedonian and [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) rule. Correspondingly, the archaeological site of Pella today is a rich source of remains and records from the past, including dozens of tombs dating from 650 to 280 BCE. The tombs are laden with artefacts of ceramic and precious metals used as [grave](https://www.worldhistory.org/burial/) goods for the burials of men, [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/), and children of Pella. [Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/)-related deities are among the best-represented sculptures of these assemblages. An example is the bust of an underworld goddess, perhaps [Demeter](https://www.worldhistory.org/demeter/), holding her breasts. Baring the breasts and holding them in a conspicuous gesture of display appears more than once in classical [Greek literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Literature/), with the famous example of Hecuba's supplication to Hector by exposing the breast that fed him to stop him from risking his life in a man-to-man combat with [Achilles](https://www.worldhistory.org/achilles/) (*[Iliad](https://www.worldhistory.org/iliad/)*, 22.79-89). In the history of the visual arts of Eastern [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/), however, this gesture has been a recurring element since [Neolithic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Neolithic/) times. Since the female figurines holding their breasts often appear in cultic and funerary contexts, this gesture was likely believed to represent the power over life and death associated with the divine figure of a mother goddess. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Nathalie is a translator and independent researcher of dance in the ancient world with a focus on Ancient Greece and the Near East. She has published works in ancient dance, ethnomusicology, and literature. She loves learning and sharing knowledge. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.choubineh/) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-choubineh-035a8451/) ## External Links - [ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF PELLA – KINGDOM OF MACEDON – THE PALACE OF PELLA](https://www.palaceofpella.gr/archaeological-museum-of-pella/?lang=en) ## Cite This Work ### APA Choubineh, N. (2024, August 30). Terracotta Bust of an Underworld Goddess from Pella. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Choubineh, Nathalie. "Terracotta Bust of an Underworld Goddess from Pella." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 30, 2024. . ### MLA Choubineh, Nathalie. "Terracotta Bust of an Underworld Goddess from Pella." *World History Encyclopedia*, 30 Aug 2024, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/ "User Page: Nathalie Choubineh"), published on 30 August 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.