L3.6 HERACLES & GERYON
| Museum Collection | Cabinet des Médailles, Paris |
|---|---|
| Catalogue No. | Paris Medailles 202 |
| Beazley Archive No. | - |
| Ware | Attic Black Figure |
| Shape | Amphora |
| Painter | - |
| Date | ca. 550 - 540 B.C. |
| Period | Archaic |
DESCRIPTION
Heracles battles the three-bodied giant Geryon. The hero wears a lion-skin cape and quiver, and fires arrows from a bow. Geryon has three heads, upper torsos and pairs of arms set atop the lower torso and legs of a single man. His triple form is flanked by (two pair of) wings and each body is equipped with a spear, shield and helm. The slain herdsman Eurytion and two-headed dog Orthrus lie at his feet. The hero is supported by Athena, his patron-goddess, whose aegis-cloak is adorned with six large, writhing serpents. Behind her stand the giant's cattle.
DRAWING
Drawing of the vase painting.