Ancient Greek Art: Poseidon & the Giant Polybotes

Poseidon battling the Giant Polybotes | Greek vase, Athenian red figure amphora

K2.7 POSEIDON & THE
GIGANTE POLYBOTES

Museum Collection: Museo Gregoriano Etrusco, Vatican City
Catalogue No.: Vatican 84
Beazley Archive No.: 202472
Ware: Attic Red Figure
Shape: Amphora
Painter: Attributed to the Diogenes Painter
Date: ca 500 - 450 BC
Period: Late Archaic / Early Classical

ARTICLES

Poseidon, Polybotes, Gigantes

SUMMARY

Poseidon batles the giant Polybotes in a scene from the Gigantomakhia (War of the Giants). Polybotes wields a sword, and is armoured with shield and helm. Poseidon brandishing his trident, prepares to crush the giant beneath the rock of Nisyros. The stone of the mountain is depicted covered with tiny creatures, including a scorpion and a butterfly.