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A work made of terracotta, pigment.

Architectural Relief Depicting the Gigantomachy (Battle Between Gods and Giants)

3rd-2nd century BCE

Etruscan

Etruria

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.

terracotta, pigment

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium