Ancient Greek Art: Heracles & the Hesperian Dragon

Heracles, Atlas & the Dragon of the golden apples | Greek vase, Athenian red figure krater

"The oracle which Themis Parnassia had given 'Atlas, a time shall come when from your tree the gold shall be despoiled, and of that spoil a son of Jove shall boast.' In fear he had walled his orchards all around with massive ramparts and for guardian set an enormous Dragon." - Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.642

M24.1 HERAKLES, ATLAS & THE HESPERIAN DRAKON

Museum Collection: The J Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California, USA
Catalogue Number: Malibu 77.AE.11
Beazley Archive Number: 201704
Ware: Attic Red Figure
Shape: Volute krater
Painter: Attributed to the Kleophrades Painter
Date: ca 490 BC
Period: Late Archaic

SUMMARY

Side A: Detail of Herakles battling the many-headed Hesperian Drakon from a depiction of his twelve labours. The beast is coiled around the tree of the golden apples, and behind it stands Atlas, carrying the weight of the heavens upon his shoulders.
Side B: Peleus and Thetis (see other image)

ARTICLESDrakon Hesperios, Atlas

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