Athena fights Alkyoneus

myminifactory

This is a section of the high-relief frieze "The battle between the Giants and the Olympian Gods" situated on the socle of Zeus' Altar in Pergamon. As recorded by mythographer Apollodorus, the confrontation between Alcyoneus and Heracles was an integral part of the Gigantomachy, a cosmic conflict between the Giants and the Olympian gods. According to legend, Alcyoneus possessed immortality as long as he remained within his native land. When Heracles shot him with an arrow, Alcyoneus plummeted to the ground but promptly began to revive, prompting Heracles to heed Athena's advice and drag Alcyoneus out of his homeland where he ultimately met his demise.