K7.7 THE BIRTH OF ATHENE
Museum Collection: Musée du Louvre, Paris, France
Catalogue Number: Louvre CA616
Beazley Archive Number: 300499
Ware: Attic Black Figure
Shape: Tripod kothon
Painter: Attributed to the C Painter
Date: ca 570 - 565 BC
Period: High Archaic
SUMMARY
Side A: The goddess Athene is born from the head of Zeus. She is depicted in miniature rising from the head of the god, fully grown and armed with spear, shield and helm. The king of the gods himself sits enthroned, with a lightning bolt in his hand. On either side of him a pair of Eileithyiai (birth goddesses) raise their arms to release the child. Beside these stand two gods, on one side Hephaistos (or perhaps Prometheus) holds the double-headed mallet (or axe) used to split the skull of Zeus. On the other side is Poseidon with his trident. Some other gods (not shown) also witness the birth.
Side B: Judgement of Paris (not shown)
Side C: Wedding of Zeus & Hera (not shown)
ARTICLES Zeus, Athene, Hephaistos,
Eileithyia, Poseidon
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