Terracotta hydria (water jar)

Greek, Attic

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 155

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.

Terracotta hydria (water jar), Terracotta, Greek, Attic

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Terracotta hydria (water jar), Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta hydria (water jar), Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta hydria (water jar), Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta hydria (water jar), Terracotta, Greek, Attic

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