Art in ancient Greece during the classical period was identified by the more idealized and naturalistic bodies depicted in the sculptures, compared to the Archaic period that came before it. While vase paintings during the time weren’t nearly as naturalistic, they still displayed idealized figures that exemplified the period. Mythology was a common subject matter of both the sculptures and vase paintings. The object found at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, The wedding of Heracles and Hebe, is a ceramic object from the classical period in Greece; it dates 400-390 BCE and is by the Meleager Painter. This paper will examine the red-figure pyxis displaying the wedding of Heracles and Hebe through consideration …show more content…
Zeus is the god of the sky and ruler of all gods. Zeus is the father of Heracles, who was borne from Alcmene after Zeus disguised himself as her husband, Amphitryon. The goddess Hera is Zeus’ wife. Heracles’ name is derived from ‘Glory of Hera’, however, Hera was portrayed in myths related to Heracles as a constant tormentor and enemy, probably due to her jealousy of Zeus’ constant affairs. She is the one that caused Heracles to go mad and murder his family, setting off the events of his twelve labors. For this, she was later punished by Zeus, who suspended her from Olympus and bounded her wrist with a golden chain and feet with anvils. Despite all of this, Hera and Heracles were able to reconcile after he was brought up to Olympus, he is then able to marry her daughter, Hebe. Athena is the goddess of war, wisdom, and the arts and crafts. She is depicted here with her typical war helmet and spear. While Hera may have been an enemy, Athena has always been an ally to Heracles, she gifted him a robe for his twelve labors, and after Hebe trapped Heracles in Cos, Athena rescued him and brought him to Phlegrae in Thrace, where he helped them win the battle of the giants together. Another pivotal figure in the piece is Hebe, who is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe was given to Heracles as a wife after he ascended to