![statue of zeus poseidon hades statue of zeus poseidon hades](https://classicalwisdom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Hades-and-brothers.jpg)
On the basis of this and other iconographic parallels with vase-painting, most scholars presently think it is a Zeus.
![statue of zeus poseidon hades statue of zeus poseidon hades](http://static9.depositphotos.com/1030973/1196/i/950/depositphotos_11962717-Hades-statue.jpg)
On the other hand, the statue is essentially a larger version of an extensive series of smaller solid bronze figurines extending back into the late 7th century, all of which strike the same pose and represent Zeus. However, the trident may have been unusually short, avoiding the problem. Iconographic parallels with coins and vase painting from the same time period show that this obscuring pose is extremely unlikely. Others cite the example of the Poseidonia coins, overlooking the much weightier evidence presented by the numerous surviving statuettes of Zeus launching his thunderbolt in a pose matching that of the Artemision figure." Ī major additional problem with that hypothesis is that a trident would obscure the face, especially from the profile view, which most scholars (even those who have supported an identification as Poseidon) have held to be the most, or even the only, important view. But like other statues of totally different subjects, this one went into the sea simply because it was on board a ship that sank. Those who would do so have been known to argue that the image must be that of the great sea god since the statue was found in the Mediterranean. As Caroline Houser writes, "Sometimes the Artemision protector is called 'Poseidon'. The debate over whether the statue represents Poseidon or Zeus hinges on the lost attribute held in the figure's right hand.