Final answer:
The Athena Parthenos by Phidias was the most popular sculpture replicated in the Golden Age of Athens. The demand for Greek sculptures like the Doryphoros surged in Rome, leading to the creation of numerous replicas. \
Step-by-step explanation:
The most popular sculpture to be replicated during the Golden Age of Athens was the Athena Parthenos, created by Phidias. While the original has been lost, its fame persisted through miniature reproductions and representations on coins and gems. Phidias, known for his remarkable talent in sculpting monumental cult statues, played a significant role as the artistic director of the Athenian Acropolis.
Additionally, Greek sculptures like the Doryphoros became profoundly popular with the Romans. Roman generals brought Greek sculptures back after their conquests, leading to a surge in demand for replicas in Rome. Studios were established to produce copies, which adorned the villas of affluent Romans, showcasing the continued admiration for Greek statuary.
Many of the original Greek sculptures, originally cast in bronze, were lost because bronze was melted down and reused across the centuries. However, the Romans, highly appreciating Greek art and aesthetic, created marble copies of these works, allowing us to have a clearer understanding of Greek sculpture through these Roman facsimiles.