0.072 m
0.115 m
2nd cent. B.C.
Sinn, U. (1979), Die Homerischen Becher : Hellenistische reliefkeramik aus Makedonien, Berlin, 78-79
Νασιούλα, Μ. (2013) Ποτήριον Γραμματικόν : Ελληνιστικά ανάγλυφα αγγεία με ενεπίγραφες διηγηματικές παραστάσεις, Διδακτορική Διατριβή, Θεσ/νίκη, τόμος Β’, 35-37
Fragment of a relief inscribed skyphos with a narrative representation from the Iliad
Fragment of a hemispherical clay relief skyphos featuring a narrative scene with inscriptions inspired by Homer’s Iliad. In the main zone, beneath the rim, we see four scenes from left to right:
Scene 1st: A protruding hand holding a round shield and possibly a spear. Part of the helmet is visible.
Above the figure, the inscription reads [….] ΛΕΥC=[Αχιλ]λεύς
Scene 2nd: A group of two male figures. One of them, bearded, is depicted in profile facing left, with one hand extended and the other holding a weapon (spear?) and clutching on his chest a warrior figure wearing a helmet, breastplate, and round shield. The warrior has his right hand raised. The figures are identified with two inscriptions: «ΠΟCΕΙΔωΝ» (Poseidon) above the head of the first figure and «ΑΙΝΕΙΑC» (Aeneas) near the second figure.
Comment:
The first and second scenes refer to the clash between Achilles and Aeneas and the rescue of the latter by the god Poseidon (Iliad, Book 20).
Scene 3rd: Two male figures facing each other, one wearing a helmet with armor, and holding a spear in his left hand, identified as Achilles (ΑΧΙΛΛΕΥC) by the inscription above his head. The second figure, bearded, wearing a chiton and himation, with his right hand raised in a scene of farewell, is identified as Ajax (ΑΙ ΑC) by the inscription.
Comment:
This scene likely refers to the embassy sent to appease Achilles, one of whom was Ajax. (Iliad, Book 9)
Scene 4th: A raised hand holding a small sword and possibly a shield. Above the sword is an inscription identifying the figure as «ΑΧΙΛΛ[…]=Αχιλλ[εύς].