Terracotta hydria: kalpis (water jar)
Poseidon riding a sea horse and a youth
This unassuming vase presents the two protagonists in one of the major Greek myths. The sea god Poseidon became enamored of Pelops, son of Tantalos. When Pelops came to Pisa, in Elis, he fell in love with Hippodameia, daughter of king Oinomaos. Oinomaos eliminated his daughter's suitors by besting them in a chariot race. Here, Pelops asks Poseidon for horses that will permit him to win his prize.
This unassuming vase presents the two protagonists in one of the major Greek myths. The sea god Poseidon became enamored of Pelops, son of Tantalos. When Pelops came to Pisa, in Elis, he fell in love with Hippodameia, daughter of king Oinomaos. Oinomaos eliminated his daughter's suitors by besting them in a chariot race. Here, Pelops asks Poseidon for horses that will permit him to win his prize.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta hydria: kalpis (water jar)
- Period: Classical
- Date: 1st quarter of the 4th century BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
- Dimensions: H. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm); diameter 5 7/16 in. (13.9 cm)
- Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1921
- Object Number: 21.88.162
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Troilos Painter
ca. 490 BCE
Greek, South Italian, Campanian
4th century BCE
Greek, Attic
late 10th–early 9th century BCE
Greek, Attic
mid-4th century BCE
Greek, Attic
late 6th century BCE
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
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.