K19.1 THE BIRTH OF ATHENE

Museum Collection: Antikenmuseen, Berlin, Germany
Catalogue Number: Berlin F1704
Beazley Archive Number: 310014
Ware: Attic Black Figure
Shape: Tyrrhenian amphora
Painter: Attributed to the Kyllenios Painter
Date: ca 570 - 560 BC
Period: Archaic

SUMMARY

The goddess Athene is birthed from the skull of Zeus. The god sits on a crane-backed chair, holding a lightning bolt in his left hand. Two Eileithyiai, goddesses of childbirth, stand on either side with arms raised to release the child. To the left is Hermes with his herald wand, and Hephaistos (or Prometheus) stepping away with the axe used to split open the head of the god. Beside him (head only shown in this image) is Dionysos.

NOTEThis image is a montage of several photos of the vase.

ARTICLESAthene, Zeus, Eileithyia, Hermes, Hephaistos, Dionysos