Dennis Hollingsworth

Black Figure Greek Pottery at the Met

ca. 550B.C. Symposium, the subject is the return of Hephaistos to Olympus. He was cast out of Olympus by his mother Hera...

(LoopCam)

The subject, which encompasses both sides of the vase, is the return of Hephaistos to Mount Olympos, the home of the gods. Hephaistos, the divine smith, was the son of Hera and Zeus. Because he was born lame, his mother cast him out of Olympos. In revenge, Hephaistos fashioned a throne that held Hera fast when she sat on it. only Hephaistos could release her. Therefore, he was given wine and escorted to Olympos by Dionysos, the god of wine, accompanied by his male and female followers, the satyrs and maenads.