K8.13 THE BIRTH OF ATHENA
| Museum Collection | Musée du Louvre, Paris |
|---|---|
| Catalogue No. | Louvre CA616 |
| Beazley Archive No. | 300499 |
| Ware | Attic Black Figure |
| Shape | Tripod Kothon |
| Painter | Attributed to the C Painter |
| Date | ca. 570 - 565 B.C. |
| Period | High Archaic |
DESCRIPTION
Side A: The goddess Athena is birthed from the head of Zeus. She is depicted as a miniature figure rising from the head of the god, equipped with a spear, shield and helm. The king of the gods is seated on a throne with a lightning bolt in his hand. Flanking him a pair of Eileithyiae (or Eileithyia and another goddess) raise their arms as midwives of the birth. Hephaestus stands to the right holding the double-headed mallet or axe used to split open the skull of Zeus. Aphrodite accompanies him holding a wreath. Poseidon, holding a trident, and an unidentifiable goddess, possibly Demeter or Hera, stand on the far right.
Side B: The judgement of Paris (not shown).
Side C: The wedding of Zeus and Hera (not shown).