Hydria (water jar) with the infant Herakles strangling snakes sent by the goddess Hera, ca. 460–450 B.C.; red-figure
Greek; Attic
Attributed to the Nausicaä Painter
Terracotta; H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
Fletcher Fund, 1925 (25.28)
Technical Glossary
Greek; Attic
Attributed to the Nausicaä Painter
Terracotta; H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
Fletcher Fund, 1925 (25.28)
Herakles was one of the twins conceived on a night when Alkmene, wife of Amphitryon, was visited by both her husband and the god Zeus. Angered by his infidelity, Zeus' wife Hera attempted to kill the infant Herakles by sending two snakes to his cradle where he slept. On this red-figure hydria, the young hero strangles them in the presence of his parents, his twin brother Iphikles, and Athena, his protective goddess.
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Related Index Terms
Geography/Place
- • Ceramic, organized by culture, Europe
- • Ceramic, organized by culture, Europe, Balkan Peninsula (including Greece)
- • Vessel, organized by culture, Europe
- • Vessel, organized by culture, Europe, Balkan Peninsula (including Greece)
Material and Technique
- • Ceramic, Painted
- • Ceramic, Painted, Europe
- • Vessel, Tall, Europe
- • Vessel, Tall (Vase, Pitcher, Bottle)
Subject Matter/Theme
- • Animal, Serpent
- • Figure, Deity
- • Figure, Deity, Greek and Roman
- • Figure, Deity, Greek and Roman, Herakles/Hercules
