ancientart:

The Archaic Greek Lion of Kea, thought to date to around the 6th century BC, sculptor unknown. Ioulida, island of Kea.

Though much ambiguity still surrounds this stone carved smiling lion, it is thought relate to the mythology of Kea, which was once known as “The Water Island”

The island was considered to be inhabited by water Nymphs. Due to its exceptional beauty, the Gods were jealous of the island and sent a lion down to ravage it of its beauty. The lion drove all the Nymphs out of the island and the island dried out.

The inhabitants of Kea then asked Apollo’s son, Aristaeus for help and he built a temple to the mightiest of all Gods, Zeus. This act pleased Zeus and he brought rain to the island and the nymphs back to it, as well. (x)

Photos courtesy & taken by Phso2

(via fryne)