Asset number
496944001
Description
Pottery: black-figured amphora: the death of Priam; Priam is being battered to death with the body of his grandson Astyanax. Side A. Designs in black on red panels with interlacing lotus and honeysuckle pattern above. The sides of the handles are chequered black and red. (a) Death of Priam: In the centre is Priam fallen to right on his back on the top of the altar of Zeus Herkeios, with white hair and beard, long purple chiton and embroidered himation, left hand raised in supplication to Neoptolemos, who stands over him to right. The latter is bearded and fully armed, with short embroidered chiton and Boeotian shield, and in right hand holds Astyanax by the right leg, about to hurl him on the ground; Astyanax is nude, and is represented on a small scale. Behind Priam is Hecuba to left, with long hair, fillet, long chiton, and diploidion, right hand raised to tear her hair, left extended in supplication. Behind her are two bearded figures, one moving to right, nude, looking back, the other has a fillet, long chiton, and striped himation. On the left is Andromache to right, with long hair, long striped chiton and diploidion, both arms raised; by her side a nude youth with long hair, running away to left and looking back (perhaps Polites). (b) Contest of Theseus and the Minotaur: Theseus to right, bearded, with long hair, cuirass, short chiton, and sheath at side, holds the Minotaur round the neck with left hand, and plunges sword into him. The latter has a bull's head, and kneels on one knee to right, looking to left, with stone in left hand; blood flows from the wound. On either side, looking on, is a female figure with long hair, fillet, long chiton tied at the waist and himation, and a nude youth with hair tied in a club.
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