Terracotta pelike (wine jar)

Attributed to the Acheloös Painter
ca. 510 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 155
Obverse, the henchmen of King Midas lying in wait for Silenos
Reverse, flute player and two boxers

The difference between satyrs and silens cannot be defined conclusively, but silens are often considered older satyrs. Silens could be endowed with great wisdom in addition to a great capacity for wine. King Midas of Phrygia once had his men trap a silen by luring him to a fountain of water mixed with wine. Midas's purpose was to benefit from the silen's counsel.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta pelike (wine jar)
  • Artist: Attributed to the Acheloös Painter
  • Period: Archaic
  • Date: ca. 510 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
  • Dimensions: H. 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.11.1
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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