Terracotta lekythos (oil flask). Culture: Greek, Attic. Dimensions: H. 7 1/16 in. (18 cm); diameter 2 15/16 in. (7.5 cm). Date: ca. 500 B.C..
Zeus, seated on his throne, with his cupbearer, Ganymede, and Ares, the god of war, standing behind him; Athena approaching to introduce Herakles to Mount Olympos; winged Iris, a messenger of the gods, following.
Herakles, the greatest Greek hero, was the only mortal admitted to live among the gods after his death.