About this artwork
As the name suggests, the Gigantomachy was the struggle between and the Giants and the Olympian gods, who were led by Zeus. In flowing robes, a god and goddess capture a Giant, depicted with wings and serpent-like features, to deliver the final blow in this epic battle. These three animated figures were probably once part of a series of ornamental covers called antefixes, which were placed along the lowest row of roof tiles on a small building, probably a temple. Etruscans often decorated their buildings with brightly colored sculptural compositions based on Greek mythology.
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Currently Off View
- Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium
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Culture
- Ancient Etruscan
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Title
- Architectural Relief Depicting the Gigantomachy (Battle Between Gods and Giants)
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Origin
- Etruria
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Date
- 300 BCE–101 BCE
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Medium
- terracotta, pigment
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Dimensions
- 45.8 × 46 × 21.9 cm (18 1/16 × 18 1/8 × 8 5/8 in.)
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Credit Line
- Katherine K. Adler Memorial Fund
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Reference Number
- 1984.2
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
