The Greeks were aware of a probably Egyptian story about the pygmies' fight with cranes. It is shown often in art, with some emphasis on comic aspects of the encounter. The pygmies fight with clubs or spears and often wear pointed caps. They are shown either as small humans or dwarfs.
Above: Detail from Athenian red-figure clay vase, about 400-300 BC. St. Petersburg. State Hermitage Museum ST1927 © State Hermitage Museum
