DESCRIPTION

No C 35
Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale 229
Black-figure amphora
The Three-line group

Zeus is seated on a box-like throne. He is represented with head in profile to the left (!), the body facing and the legs in profile to the right, in almost the same scale as the surrounding standing figures and seated Ares. The right forearm is extended obliquely downward, the hand grasping a thunderbolt. The left arm is extended obliquely forward, the hand holding a staff. The god has a pointed beard and short cropped hair, with a headband. His dress consists of a chiton, which has come down to the waist.

There are two deities at each side of the picture. At the left stand Athena and Hermes. Athena is represented with head and legs in profile to the right, the body facing. Her dress consists of a peplos and the aigis. The aigis is covered with metal scales, and bordered by a fringe of snakes. The right forearm is extended horizontally forward, the hand holding a spear. The left arm is raised, the hand with extended fingers seen on the palm. The goddes wears a helmet, but has no shield. Hermes is identified by the petasos, the kerukeion and the endromides. At the right side of the picture stands Hera, the right arm raised, the hand with extended fingers seen on the palm, the left arm extended obliquely downward, with palm turned downward and extended fingers. She wears a crown. She is identified by the inscription of her name. Another god is seen at the left, Ares, characterised as such by helmet and spear. He is seated on a box-like throne.

<Beazley: Zeus seated, with Athena, Hera, Hermes and Ares. Et vid. De Ridder, Catalogue des vases peintes de la Bibliothèque Nationale, p. 142vv: Réunion de dieux dans l'Olympe.>

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