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Terracotta neck-amphora (jar)

ca. 510 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
Obverse, Herakles, Deianeira, and Nessos
Reverse, centaurs beat the lapith Kaineus into the ground
Inscription: obverse, Herakles; reverse, Dase, Simias

Centaurs are represented on both sides of this vase. The scene on the obverse was popular beginning in the seventh century B.C. According to myth, the centaur Nessos attacked Deianeira and Herakles rescued her, shooting the beast with an arrow poisoned with the Hydra's blood. But on this particular vase and on most illustrated depictions of this myth, Herakles attacks Nessos with his sword.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta neck-amphora (jar)
  • Period: Archaic
  • Date: ca. 510 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
  • Dimensions: H. 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.)
    Diameter of mouth 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm.)
    Diameter of foot 5 15/16 in. (15 cm.)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1956
  • Object Number: 56.171.23
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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