No C 16
Oldenburg
Black-figure amphora
Zeus is seated on a chair. 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
right forearm is extended almost horizontally forward, the
hand grasping a thunderbolt. The left forearm is extended
obliquely upward. The god has a pointed beard and wears his
long hair loose, with a narrow headband. 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 and
an epiblematon. She carries a shield on the left arm, the
right forearm is extended horizontally forward.
There are two deities on each side of the picture. On the
right a goddess, the right forearm extended obliquely upward,
with palm turned outward and extended fingers, the left
forearm extended horizontally forward, the hand with extended
fingers seen on the back, and Ares, characterised as such by
helmet, shield and greaves. On the left side a goddess, the
right forearm extended obliquely upward, with palm turned
outward and extended fingers placed on Zeus' back, and a god,
identified as Poseidon by the trident.
The chair has thin plain curved legs, a back with a swan's
head finial, and is provided with a cushion on the seat.
An owl perches between the legs of the chair.
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