As we have seen, the peplos dedicated to Athena during the Panathenaean Festival symbolizes a marriage between the polis and the goddess (Hǻland 161). So then, what happens when a third party enters this union? Demetrius Poliorcetes, whose bust is featured above, was the Macedonian ruler of the Antigonid kingdom. The author Plutarch gives an account of Demetrius’ entry into Athens, and one of the most significant events that occurs during his stay is the weaving of the figures of Demetrius and his father Antigonus into Athena’s sacred robe (Plutarch 8.12). By doing this, the Antigonid rulers are tapping into the core of Athenian religion, taking it for their own. This example of ruler cult shows its effect in the Hymn to Demetrius sung by the Athenians, which almost seems to reduce the power of the gods by its elevation of Demetrius the king. The secular power that he holds gives him power even over religion, so that the Greeks feel that they have no need for the gods they used to worship—in fact, they proclaim:
For other gods do at a distance keep,
Or have no ears,
Or no existence; and they heed not us-
But you are present… (Smith 6.63)
Exhibition of Ancient Greek Religion 