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Greek Mythology >> Galleries >> Greek Vase Paintings 1 >> K4.4

K4.4 HERACLES, HERA & PORPHYRION

Heracles, Porphyrion & Hera | Attic red figure vase painting
DETAILS
Museum Collection Musée du Louvre, Paris
Catalogue No. Louvre S1677
Beazley Archive No. 217568
Ware Attic Red Figure
Shape Amphora
Painter Attributed to the the Suessula Painter
Date ca 400 - 390 B.C.
Period Late Classical

DESCRIPTION

Detail of Hera, Heracles and the Gigante Porphyrion from a painting of the Gigantomachia (War of the Giants). In this scene the lust-filled Porphyrion seizes the goddess Hera, ripping her dress. The goddess' spear is cast awry and her Amazon-crescent shield seems to slip from her fingers. Porphyrion, draped in a panther skin and holding a torch, turns to face Zeus (above, not shown). The god aims his lightning bolt at the giant. To the left Heracles also comes to the rescue, aiming an arrow at the giant.

"Porphyrion rushed against Herakles and also Hera. Zeus instilled him with a passion for Hera, and when he tore her gown and wanted to rape her, she called for help, whereat Zeus hit him with a thunderbolt and Herakles slew him with an arrow." - Apollodorus, The Library 1.36

This image is montage of several photos of the vase.

ARTICLES

Hera, Porphyrion, Gigantes

OTHER IMAGES

Thumbnail Gigantomachia

L20.1 Gigantes

Thumbnail Zeus & Nike

T24.2 Zeus

Thumbnail Ares & Aphrodite

K9.1 Ares

Thumbnail Hermes & Giant

K11.3 Hermes

Thumbnail Artemis

K6.5 Artemis

Thumbnail Hecate & Giant

T16.1 Hecate

Thumbnail Dioscuri & Giant

H28.1 Dioscuri

Thumbnail Dioscuri & Giant

H28.1B Dioscuri