The academic discipline of classical archaeology

• Cast of the Winged Victory of Samothrace in Oxford

The privileged position of sculpture in the study of classical antiquity, strong from association with classical texts was strengthened further during the second half of the 19th century by the remarkable discoveries of originals in Greece. Universities wanted to have plaster casts of new masterpieces as soon as they were found.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace was found in 1863, in advance of the principal excavation of the site, Nike of Paionios in 1875 at Olympia, Hermes of Praxiteles at Olympia two years later, and the Great Altar at Pergamon) from 1878.