Galas stabbing himself (fragment)

Galas is the myhtological founder of the Gauls. The Gauls inhabited Europe between the 5th century B.C. and the 5th century A.D. In Greek art, the term Pergamene School describes a type of Greek sculpture associated with the city of Pergamon in Asia Minor, during its golden age when it was ruled by the Attalid dynasty (241-133 BC). The style of sculpture championed by Pergamene artists is best seen as the leading edge of Hellenistic marble sculpture, during the period 200-150 BCE. It is characterized above all by highly expressive gestures, dramatic action-filled poses, exaggerated musculature and deep drapery folds, all of which helps to convey the pain, anguish and other emotions of its subjects. These characteristics are exemplified in a votive group of statues commissioned by Attalus I (269-197 BCE), to celebrate his victory over the Gauls. Consecrated on the Acropolis of Pergamon, this group includes the famous staue of a Gaul killing himself and his wife. These and other similar Pergamene statues were later copied by Roman sculptors and are known as Dying Gauls.