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Greek Mythology >> Galleries >> Greek Vase Paintings 4 >> L3.6

L3.6 HERACLES & GERYON

Heracles & Geryon | Attic black figure vase painting
DETAILS
Museum Collection Cabinet des Médailles, Paris
Catalogue No. Paris Medailles 202
Beazley Archive No. -
Ware Attic Black Figure
Shape Amphora
Painter -
Date ca. 550 - 540 B.C.
Period Archaic

DESCRIPTION

Heracles battles the three-bodied giant Geryon. The hero wears a lion-skin cape and quiver, and fires arrows from a bow. Geryon has three heads, upper torsos and pairs of arms set atop the lower torso and legs of a single man. His triple form is flanked by (two pair of) wings and each body is equipped with a spear, shield and helm. The slain herdsman Eurytion and two-headed dog Orthrus lie at his feet. The hero is supported by Athena, his patron-goddess, whose aegis-cloak is adorned with six large, writhing serpents. Behind her stand the giant's cattle.

DRAWING

Heracles & Geryon | Drawing of Greek vase painting

Drawing of the vase painting.

ARTICLES

Geryon, Orthrus, Athena