From Pottery to Polygons: A Reconstruction and Exploration of the Gigantomachy

Abstract

My thesis is a comprehensive reconstruction of a fragmentary Greek vase from the 6th century BC depicting the Gigantomachy, the war of the gods and the giants in Greek mythology. I completed a reconstruction drawing in the conventional style of art historians, and have created a 3D reconstruction as well, based on digital scans of the individual shard pieces, to develop a new technique that could allow us to accurately learn more about fragmentary vases and fill in the gaps. The Gigantomachy took on great political significance throughout the Persian Wars, as the Giants came to represent the threat and fear of barbarian cultures and were depicted as monstrous, savage beasts with serpent legs. However, depictions of the Gigantomachy before the Persian Wars do not have this visual parallel, and the Giants are depicted as normal warriors. The vase I am reconstructing, by the Kyllenios Painter, is one such early example - and since the Gigantomachy is an incomplete story with many tantalizing clues about its plot found throughout its vase-painting images, we can learn a great deal about this fascinating tale from a closer examination of one of its earliest representations. Essentially, I have developed a new technique to accurately examine, study, and reconstruct vase fragments and shards, regardless of physical proximity to the vase, and without any chance of damaging the priceless ancient item.