Statuette of a Giant Hurling a Rock

This giant, poised to hurl a rock at his opponent, was originally one of a group of statuettes depicting the mythological battle between the gods and the giants. The figure's pose suggests that he was originally placed in an uneven landscape setting. In Greek mythology, the giants, children of Ge (earth) and Uranus (sky), tried to overthrow the Olympian gods. The theme was very popular in Greek art and took on a symbolic meaning as the triumph of Greeks (the gods) over barbarians (the giants). Artists varied the appearance of the giants. Sometimes they were shown with serpentine legs, emphasizing their connection with their mother, the Earth. In other instances, they appeared essentially human, but the artists often gave clues to their wildness. On this statuette, the pointed ears, unkempt hair, and choice of a rock as a weapon signal the giant's bestial nature.