King of the gods, he was also the god of the sky, the weather, oaths and promises, guests and hosts, and protector of the family unit.

Brother of Poseidon and Hades.

Father to countless offspring - mortal, immortal, and semi-divine. Some legitimate, but mostly illegitimate due to his extra-marital indiscretions, much to the chagrin of his wife Hera.

Originals of these miniature vases date to around the late sixth and early fifth centuries BC, are to be found in the grave hoards from the ancient Kerameikos in Athens. They are thought to have been used as votive offerings and toys for children.

mini white-ground lekythos: Zeus

Name: mini white-ground lekythos: Zeus
SKU: VO-137

SKU: VO-137

£20.00

Quantity

Height: 10cm
Zeus was king of the gods. He was the god of the sky, of thunder and the weather, oaths and promises, guests and hosts, and he was the protector of the family unit. His brothers were Poseidon, god of oceans and rivers, and Hades, god of the Underworld. His sisters were Demeter, goddess of the fertility of the earth, and Hestia, goddess of the hearth.

He was married to his third sister, Hera, with whom he had three legitimate offspring: Hephaistos, Hebe, and Ares.

His countless sexual indiscretions resulted in a vast and colourful array of other children, mortal and divine, including the gods Athena (his 'brainchild', literally), Apollo, Dionysos, Aphrodite and Artemis, the Muses, and Persephone. Zeus is often shown holding, or poised to cast, a thunderbolt.

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mini white-ground lekythos: Zeus

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