Libation

This animation shows a libation - the pouring of a liquid offering. The animation was created from a vase made in Athens c.450BCE and now housed in the National Museum in Warsaw, in Poland (number 142460 MNW). The vase shows the Greek god, Zeus, accompanied by two goddesses. Athena stands in front of Zeus while Nike (or perhaps Iris) stands behind him. Zeus pours out the offering - a model of good behaviour to humans.
The animation was created by the Panoply Vase Animation Project as part of the European Research Council funded project: Our Mythical Childhood... The Reception of Children's and Young Adults' Culture in Response to Regional and Global Challenges (Grant Agreement 681202; led by Prof Katarzyna Marciniak). For more animations and for more about ancient Greek religion and Our Mythical Childhood, visit www.panoply.org.uk
This animation is available here for free educational use. Please do not download or add your logo for redistribution. Please contact us if you have any questions.

[@Tekmirion]

Very good as animation but why is Zeus throwing away the water-wine or whatever it is from his own daughter Athena? This seems somehow a discrace act or dishonor from Zeus to Athena and dont tell me he wanted to clean the pot... cause nowhere in history is recorded such action from Zeus to his daughter...

[@PanoplyVaseAnimationProject]

You are right to defend her honour! Don't worry though. This is team work. Athena is pouring out liquid for Zeus so that he can then make a libation - a liquid offering. This was an important form of ritual.