Red-figured wine bowl (bell-krater), signed by the
painter Python
Greek, about 350-340 BC
Made in Paestum, Campania, Italy; from Sant'Agata de' Goti,
Campania, Italy
Alkmene on the pyre
To seduce the virtuous Alkmene, Zeus assumed the form of her
husband Amphitryon, who was away from home. When he returned,
Amphitryon was so angry that his wife had welcomed a lover in his
absence, that he tried to burn her alive on the altar where she
fled for refuge. But Zeus sent the Clouds to extinguish the flames,
Amphitryon relented, and in due course Alkmene gave birth to twin
boys: Herakles, who was the son of Zeus, and Iphikles, fathered by
Amphitryon.
Alkmene's narrow escape from death is vividly depicted on this
wine bowl. Torches are put to a neat pile of logs laid in front of
the altar, where Alkmene waves frantically upwards towards Zeus.
Fortunately the Clouds are on hand to drench the flames, and the
rainbow over Alkmene signals that all will be well.
The details of the drapery have been beautifully executed in
this highly decorative design. This and the meticulous care taken
over each individual rain drop are typical of vases produced in the
Paestan workshop of Python. The dramatic qualities of the scene
suggest the influence of the theatre, perhaps a reproduction of
Euripides' Alkmene.
L. Burn, Greek myths (London, The British Museum Press, 1990)
A.D. Trendall, Red figure vases of South Ital (New York, Thames and Hudson, 1989)
D. Williams, Greek vases (London, The British Museum Press, 1999)
L. Burn, The British Museum book of G-1, revised edition (London, The British Museum Press, 1999)