Porphyrion


Gigantomachy frieze, Pergamon Museum Berlin.
In Greek mythology, Porphyrion was one of the Gigantes, who according to Hesiod, were the offspring of Gaia, born from the blood that fell when Uranus was castrated by their son Cronus. In some other versions of the myth, the Gigantes were born of Gaia and Tartarus.

In art

Porphyrion is named on a sixth-century BC black-figure pyxis, where he and the Giant Enceladus oppose Zeus, Heracles and Athena. He is also named on a late fifth-century BC red-figure cup from Vulci, and a fifth-century BC red-figure krater, in both engaged in single combat with Zeus, and a late sixth-century/early fifth-century fragmentary BC red-figure cup, where his opponent is lost.
Porphyrion was probably named on the Gigantomachy depicted on the north frieze of the Siphnian Treasury at Delphi, and he was one of the many Giants depicted on the second-century BC Pergamon Altar Gigantomachy frieze, where he is shown fighting Zeus.