Terracotta kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup)
Obverse and reverse, between eyes, Theseus and the Minotaur
In Greek mythology, Athens was once subject to King Minos of Crete and was obliged to send a yearly tribute of seven youths and seven maidens. They either lost their way in the king's labyrinthine palace or were consumed by the Minotaur, part man and part bull. Theseus, with the help of Ariadne, Minos' daughter, killed the monstrous creature. The episode appears here with youths and maidens as spectators.
In Greek mythology, Athens was once subject to King Minos of Crete and was obliged to send a yearly tribute of seven youths and seven maidens. They either lost their way in the king's labyrinthine palace or were consumed by the Minotaur, part man and part bull. Theseus, with the help of Ariadne, Minos' daughter, killed the monstrous creature. The episode appears here with youths and maidens as spectators.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup)
- Period: Archaic
- Date: ca. 530 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
- Dimensions: H. 5 in. (12.7 cm)
diameter 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm) - Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1909
- Object Number: 09.221.39
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.