Side B: judgement of Paris

Side B: Hera and Hermes

Side B: Iris and Paris

Side C: wedding of Zeus and Hera

Side C: three females

Side A: Eileithyia, Zeus and Athena

Collection: Paris, Musée du Louvre
Summary: Side A: birth of AthenaSide B: judgement of ParisSide C: wedding of Zeus and Hera
Ware: Attic Black Figure
Painter: Attributed to the C Painter
Context: From Thebes
Date: ca. 570 BC - ca. 565 BC
Dimensions: H. 0.125 m, Diam. 0.25 m
Primary Citation: ABV, 58.122; Beazley Addenda 2, 16
Shape: Tripod kothon
Beazley Number: 300499
Region: Boeotia
Period: High Archaic

Decoration Description:

The vessel is divided into three scenes. On the first side Athena is shown emerging from the head of Zeus. Zeus is seated on a stool in the center, wearing a short-sleeved garment that covers him to the ankles. His feet are propped on a low hassock. In his left hand he holds a flaming lightning bolt, in his right a long staff. Athena is fully dressed and armed in chiton and helmet, holding her shield and spear. To either side of Zeus stand the goddesses of childbirth, the Eileithyiae, each dressed in a patterned himation and raising one hand in the air. Behind the lefthand goddess stands Hephaistos in a short chiton, mantle, and winged boots, holding his double axe. Behind the righthand goddess stands Poseidon in himation and mantle, with his trident in his right hand. On the far left and right stand two goddesses, dressed similarly to the Eileithyia, but unnamed.

The second scene depicts the judgement of Paris. In the center Hermes leads the three goddesses, Hera, Athena and Aphrodite to the right. Hermes wears a short chiton and mantle, winged boots, and holds his scepter in his left hand. With his left he gestures to the goddesses, who are all dressed in patterned himations and mantles. On the far right stands Paris, also in himation and mantle. Between him and Hermes is Iris, facing Paris, dressed like the other goddesses and holding a wreath in each hand.

In the third scene, a bride and groom stand in a chariot, the groom holding the reins and a kentron, the bride with her mantle modestly pulled forward. Three women approach the chariot, each holding a wreath in her hand. This trio has been interpreted as the Charites or the Horai, with the bride and groom as Zeus and Hera.

Around the rim is a frieze of warriors in combat.

Sources Used: Simon & Hirmer 1976, pp. 77-78, nos. 58-59 (with previous bibliography)