Ancient Greek Art: Poseidon & the Giant Polybotes

Poseidon battling the giant Porphyrion | Greek vase, Athenian red figure krater

K2.6 POSEIDON & THE
GIGANTE POLYBOTES

Museum Collection: Kunst-historisches Museeum,
Vienna, Austria
Catalogue Number: Vienna 688
Beazley Archive Number: 202916
Ware: Attic Red Figure
Shape: Krater, column
Painter: Attributed to Compare to Cabinet Des Medailles 390 Painter
Date: ca 480 BC
Period: Early Classical

ARTICLES

Poseidon, Polybotes, Gigantes

SUMMARY

Poseidon batles the giant Polybotes in a scene from the Gigantomakhia (War of the Giants). The Gigante wields a sword and is dressed in a full set of armour. Poseidon brandishes his trident in one hand, and prepares to cast the rock of Nisyros with the other. The mountain is covered with the shapes of various creatures, including a scorpion, serpent and dragonfly.