Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock, which is commonly used in sculpting and buildings.

History

Ancient Greece

Concept art of a marble workshop in Paros by Hugo Puzzuoli

In the 5th century BCE, statues and buildings using marble were a common sight in Greece, and multiple marble quarries existed in the known Greek world. Chief among these was Mt. Pentelikos Marble Quarry in Attika, and its famous, white Pentelic marble was used in the construction of Athens, particularly the Akropolis. Other notable quarries were Naxos' quarry on Marble Bay, the Aliki Quarry on Thasos, and Paros Island's quarry. In addition to these, Andros was regarded by the historian Herodotos as the source of "some of the most expensive marble in the world", and the island of Skyros was regarded famous both for its goats as well as marble quarries.

While most marble produced and used was pale, even white, Tainaros in southern Lakonia was famous for its red and black marble.

From quarries, marble used for statues was brought to workshops, like the Marble Workshop in Athens' so-called Marble Quarter. Some, like the Athenian sculptor Phidias, were considered to be especially good at working with the material.

Hellenistic Egypt

Under the reign of the Ptolemies, marble in Egypt was appreciated by native Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans alike. Of special note was the city of Cyrene in Libya, bedecked in marble.

Monteriggioni statuettes: Jupiter and Minerva

Renaissance

Marble's value continued well into the Italian Renaissance, and within Villa Auditore, a marble staircase ruled the main hall while statues, both from antiquity as well as contemporary, decorated cities like Florence and Rome. Though minor in size, the statuettes featuring various Roman deities, found scattered within the town of Monteriggioni, were made of marble.

The Imperial District within Constantinople was known for its towering marble buildings, including the Hagia Sophia.

Sikh Empire

Harmandir Sahib

Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire had the temple of Harmandir Sahib decorated with marble and gold leaf, and the temple was afterwards known also as the "Golden Temple".

Gallery

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  Overview of the Fortified Marble Quarry on Paros Island
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  A view of the quarry on the Isle of Salamis, Attika
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  A statue of the god Apollo made of marble in 5th century BCE
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  A painted marble relief featuring Asklepios, Hygieia, and snakes
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  The Terrace of the Lions on Delos

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed II
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
• Assassin's Creed: Revelations
• Assassin's Creed: Origins
• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey