No C 17
Copenhagen, Nationalmuseum VIII 375
Black-figure lekythos from Vulci
Zeus is seated on a folding stool. He is represented with
head and legs in profile to the right, the body diagonally.
Seated, he is almost as tall as the surrounding standing
figures. The feet rest on a footstool. The right forearm is
extended almost horizontally forward, the hand holding a
staff, the left forearm is extended obliquely upward, the hand
grasping a thunderbolt. 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 shoulder and the left arm.
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 and carries a shield on the left arm; the right
arm is extended horizontally sideward.
There are six other deities in the picture, but only five
of them are concerned in the event. On the right side stand a
goddess, the arms raised with palms turned to each other and
extended fingers, Hermes, identified by the petasos, and Ares,
characterised as such by helmet, shield, spear and greaves.
On the left side stand a goddess, the arms raised, with palms
turned inward and extended fingers, Hephaistos, identified by
the axe, and next to him a second warrior with helmet and
shield, represented in profile to the left.
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