DESCRIPTION

No C 01
Munich, Antikensammlungen, 1382
Black-figure amphora from Vulci
Date: 575-525
Group E

Zeus is seated on a throne. He is represented with head and legs in profile to the right, the body almost facing. Seated, he is almost as tall as the surrounding standing figures. The feet rest on a footstool. The right forearm is extended horizontally forward with clenched hand; the left arm is raised with clenched hand. The god has a pointed beard and wears his long hair loose. His dress consists of a chiton and a himation, which covers the right upper arm and the left arm in part.

Athena is represented emerging from the head of Zeus in a sprinting position, head and legs in profile to the right, the body facing. Her dress presumably consists of a peplos. She wears a helmet, carries a shield on the left arm and holds a spear in the right hand.

There are two deities on each side of the picture. On the right a goddess, the right arm raised, with palm turned outward and extended fingers, the left arm hanging down with clenched fist, and Ares, characterised as such by helmet, shield, spear and greaves. On the left side the two gods are identified as Apollo, by the zither, and Hermes, by the petasos.

The throne has rectangular legs decorated with double palmettes and cut-out incisions round their stems. The throne is backless, but has a lion's protome at the rear corner.

The small figure of a bearded man is seen between the legs of the throne. He is dressed in a chiton and a himation, which covers his arms completely. An owl perches on the left forearm of Zeus.

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