Terracotta stamnos (jar)
Obverse, Athena between Hera and Zeus
Reverse, warrior leaving home
The feature common to both sides of this stamnos is the offering of a libation. On the obverse, Athena holds an oinochoe (jug) as Zeus and Hera proffer phialai (libation bowls) to be filled. On the reverse, a young warrior stands between a seated man and a standing woman who holds an oinochoe and a phiale. The libation is poured when the warrior departs in order to insure his safe return. This combination of scenes provides a remarkably graphic illustration of the ancient Athenians' sense that a communality in belief and practice existed between the mortal and divine worlds.
Reverse, warrior leaving home
The feature common to both sides of this stamnos is the offering of a libation. On the obverse, Athena holds an oinochoe (jug) as Zeus and Hera proffer phialai (libation bowls) to be filled. On the reverse, a young warrior stands between a seated man and a standing woman who holds an oinochoe and a phiale. The libation is poured when the warrior departs in order to insure his safe return. This combination of scenes provides a remarkably graphic illustration of the ancient Athenians' sense that a communality in belief and practice existed between the mortal and divine worlds.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta stamnos (jar)
- Artist: Attributed to the Berlin Painter
- Period: Archaic
- Date: ca. 490 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
- Dimensions: 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm)
- Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Gift of Christos G. Bastis, in honor of Dietrich von Bothmer, 1988
- Object Number: 1988.40
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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