amphora
- Museum number
- 1843,1103.64
- Description
-
Pottery: black-figured amphora. Designs in black on red panels, with borders of lotus-buds along the top; accessories of purple and white.
(a) Heracles and the Erymanthian boar: In the centre is Heracles to right, nude and bearded, holding the boar upside down in his arms, in the act of hurling it on Eurystheus, who had concealed himself in a large pithos sunk in the earth, and now holds up his hands in supplication; Heracles has his left foot on the lip of the pithos, which has an incised pattern round the shoulder of squares in which are dots. On the right stands Athene to left, with long chiton and embroidered himation, high-crested helmet, shield with a rosette of thirteen points as device. On the left is an old man to left with white hair and beard, long chiton and embroidered himation, right hand raised, conversing with a nude beardless youth.
(b) Heracles (?) and the Chimaera: On the right is Heracles to left, bearded, in a short chiton, aiming a blow at the lion's head of the Chimaera with club held in both hands. Behind him is a beardless male figure, perhaps the Lycian King Amisodaros, in a long chiton and embroidered himation. In the centre is the Chimaera to right, with one fore-leg raised against Heracles. The goat's head is turned to left, attacking Iolaos (?), who is bearded and wears a short striped chiton and shoulder-belt; he attacks the goat with his sword. In the field, a garment suspended.
- Production date
- 540BC-520BC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 39.50 centimetres
-
Weight: 2.55 kilograms
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Width: 26.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- BM Cat. Vases
For King Amisodaros, see Il. xvi. 328.
There is no trace of any myth connecting Heracles with the Chimaera; but the characteristics of the two figures are those of Heracles and Iolaos; and Bellerophon is always represented youthful and with a spear. The vase-painter may have confused two myths, or possibly the scene may have no mythological signification.
- Location
- On display (G13/dc8)
- Acquisition date
- 1843
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1843,1103.64
