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Greek Mythology >> Galleries >> Greek Vase Paintings 1 >> K8.10

K8.10 THE BIRTH OF ATHENA

Birth of Athena | Attic black figure vase painting
DETAILS
Museum Collection British Museum, London
Catalogue No. London 1867,0508.962
Beazley Archive No. 301068
Ware Attic Black Figure
Shape Kylix, Little Master Lip
Painter Attributed to the Phrynos Painter
Date ca. 555 - 550 B.C.
Period Early Archaic

DESCRIPTION

Side A: Hephaestus births Athena from the skull of Zeus with the blow of an axe. The king of the gods is seated on a throne decorated with the head of a swan and brandishes a lightning-bolt in his outstretched hand. Athena springs forth from his head, born ready-equipped with a shield. Hephaestus waves a hand, imitating an Eileithyia (birth-goddess), and holds a double-headed axe or mallet. He wears a short workman's chiton and boots.

Side B: The arrival of Heracles on Olympus (see other image).

ARTICLES

Athena, Zeus, Hephaestus

OTHER IMAGES

Thumbnail Heracles & Athena

H2.4 Heracles