Ancient Greek Art: Heracles & Helius the Sun

Heracles & Helius, the sun-god | Greek vase, Athenian black figure skyphos

"When Helios made Herakles hot as he proceeded, he aimed his bow at the god and stretched it; Helios was so surprised at his daring that he gave him a golden goblet, in which he crossed the Okeanos stream." - Apollodorus, The Library 2.107

T17.4 HERAKLES & HELIOS THE SUN

Museum Collection: Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Taranto, Italy
Catalogue Number: Taranto 7029
Beazley Archive Number: 330674
Ware: Attic Black Figure
Shape: Skyphos
Painter: Attributed to the Theseus Painter
Date: ca 500 BC
Period: Archaic

SUMMARY

Herakles sits on the banks of the River Okeanos shooting arrows at the sun-god Helios. The god is crowned with the aureole of the sun and drives a chariot drawn by winged horses which is in the process of setting into the waters of Okeanos. A pair of Herakles'arrows protrude from the chariot shield.

ARTICLESHelios