Themis, a study of the social origins of Greek ... - Warburg Institute

V] The bull-headed Zeus Olbios 149
three portions. In the gable at the top is a bull's head. In the
centre is the figure of the god to whom the relief is dedicated,
Zeus Olbios 1
, Zeus of Wealth or Prosperity: he pours libation on
an altar, near him is his eagle. Below, the scene represented is a
Bouphonia. An ox is tethered by a ring to the ground near the
blazing altar. Behind him is an Ox-Smiter (Boutypos) with
axe uplifted ready to strike. To the left behind the ox a girl
approaches, holding in her left hand a plate of fruit and flowers.
The woman behind holds infulae in her left hand. To the right
are a man and boy holding objects that cannot certainly be made
out.
So far all seems well in order. The bull is sacrificed to the
Olympian Zeus, who stands there dominant with his attribute, the
Fig. 27.
eagle, by his side. But if we look at the god's figure more closely
we see that, if Zeus he be, it is in strange form 2 . On his head are
horns : he is Tavpoicepws, bull-horned, like Iacchos ; he is bull-faced,
fiovirpcppos, like the infant Dithyrambos. Now, when these animal
gods come to light, it is usual to say the god assumes the shape
of a bull, or is incarnate in the form of a bull. The reverse is
1 The dedication is as follows :
~Evo5iwv iepevs Aids 'OXftiov
iiirkp tGiv idiicv iravTiov K