Terracotta hydria (water jar)
On the body, Herakles wrestling Triton
On the shoulder, Achilles pursuing Troilos
Herakles wrestling Triton is a recurrent subject, especially on hydriai and neck-amphorae of the second half of the sixth century B.C. No surviving ancient source spells out the story. Its popularity on hydriai is due partly to Triton's being a marine creature and partly to interest in the exploits of Herakles. The pursuit of Troilos is pertinent because, as he fled, his sister Polyxena dropped the hydria in which she was carrying water from the fountain house.
On the shoulder, Achilles pursuing Troilos
Herakles wrestling Triton is a recurrent subject, especially on hydriai and neck-amphorae of the second half of the sixth century B.C. No surviving ancient source spells out the story. Its popularity on hydriai is due partly to Triton's being a marine creature and partly to interest in the exploits of Herakles. The pursuit of Troilos is pertinent because, as he fled, his sister Polyxena dropped the hydria in which she was carrying water from the fountain house.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta hydria (water jar)
- Period: Archaic
- Date: ca. 560–550 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
- Dimensions: H. 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm)
- Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906
- Object Number: 06.1021.48
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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Troilos Painter
ca. 490 BCE
Greek, South Italian, Campanian
4th century BCE
Greek, Attic
late 10th–early 9th century BCE
Greek, Attic
late 6th century BCE
Princeton Group
ca. 540–530 BCE
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