Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)

Painter of the Nicosia Olpe

ca. 550 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Obverse and reverse, birth of Athena from the head of Zeus Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, had the distinction of being born fully formed and fully armed from the head of Zeus, the chief of the gods. Much favored during the first half of the sixth century B.C., scenes of this event include numerous figures and allow for various responses to the unusual circumstances. Here the birth has occurred, and Athena is about to sally forth from her father's lap.

Artist

Painter of the Nicosia Olpe

Date

ca. 550 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1906