No C 34
Würzburg, University, Martin von Wagner Museum L 309
Black-figure amphora from Vulci
The Antimenes Painter

Zeus is seated on a throne. He is represented with head and legs in profile to the left (!), the body diagonally, in a slightly bigger scale than the surrounding standing figures. The left forearm is extended almost horizontally, with clenched hand, the right forearm is extended obliquely upward, the hand holding a staff, surmounted by a being with a head with two faces. The god has a luxuriant pointed beard and wears his long hair loose. His dress consists of a chiton and a himation, which covers the left shoulder.

Athena is represented standing next to Zeus, head in profile to the right, the body facing, the legs in profile to the left (!). Her dress consists of a chiton and the aigis. The aigis is covered with metal scales, and bordered by a fringe of serpents. The right forearm is extended almost horizontally forward, the hand holding a spear. The left arm is raised, the hand holding a helmet. She has no shield.

There are two deities at each side of the picture. At the left stand a goddess, the right arm hanging down, the hand grasping a flap of the chiton, the left arm extended obliquely downward, the hand with extended fingers seen on the palm, and Poseidon, identified by the trident. At the right side stand a goddess, the right forearm raised, with palm turned inward and extended fingers, almost put on the chin, and Hermes, characterised as such by petasos, kerukeion, and endromides.

The throne has rectangular legs, decorated with double palmets and cut-out incisions round their stems. The throne is backless.

Beazley: Birth of Athena. There is something unusual in the style of the chief picture, but the hand seems to be that of the Antimenes Painter himself.

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