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Cup, made in Athens, about 480 BC
The Trojan War
Enter Achilles
Menelaos' troops were led by his brother Agamemnon. The greatest warrior in all of Greece was Achilles, and he joined their side. Achilles had been given a slave girl called Briseis as a mark of honour for his excellence at fighting. The war had gone on for nine years when Agamemnon took Briseis away from Achilles. Achilles was furious.
On this vase you can see two heralds leading Briseis away. Behind them angry Achilles sits alone in his tent. He is muffled in his cloak and holds his head in his hand. Achilles was determined to punish Menelaos and Agamemnon for his loss, so refused to fight for them any more.