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.
