Bronze statuette of Zeus or Poseidon

Unknown

early 5th century BCE · Bronze · Greek and Roman Art

This mature bearded figure must represent either Zeus, the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian deities, or his brother Poseidon, who controlled the seas. The identity would have been clear from the attribute that was originally held in the right hand. Zeus's weapon was the thunderbolt, and a sanctuary to him was established wherever lightening struck. Poseidon wielded a trident, the three-pronged spear that fishermen used to catch huge tuna.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 5th century BCE

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1921