Attributed to the Python Painter.
Clay.
Ca. 360—320 BCE.
Height 56.5, diam. 51.5 cm, weight 12.5 kg. Inv. No. 1890,0210.1.London, British Museum
Alcmene appealing to Zeus against Amphitryon.
Attributed to the Python Painter.
Clay.
Ca. 360—320 BCE.
Height 56.5, diam. 51.5 cm, weight 12.5 kg.
London, British Museum.
Designs in panels, red on black ground, with accessories of white and purple. Above the designs, ivy-wreath and egg-moulding; below the designs, maeander and chequer.
(a) Alcmene appealing to Zeus against Amphitryon: In the centre is Alcmene, seated to left on an altar, which is painted white with egg-moulding along the top and an imitation of triglyphs below (markings in yellow); in front of it is erected a pyre of round logs. She has long curls, necklace and bracelets, an embroidered veil over her head, long chiton and apoptygma embroidered with chequer, palmettes, and other patterns, girdle with white studs, and sandals; her right hand is raised in supplication. Above the design is incised: ΑΛΚΜΗΝΗ, Ἀλκμήνη. On the right is Amphitryon to left setting fire to the pyre with a torch in each hand; he is bearded, with long hair, short embroidered chiton with engrailed and palmette patterns and border of white dots, embroidered chlamys with border of chequer over his arms, endromides, and purple cross-belt from which hangs a sheathed sword; above him is incised: ΑΜΦΙΤΡΥΩΝ, Ἀμφιτρύων. On the left is Antenor starting back to left, looking to right, beardless, with long curls, white pilos, short sleeved embroidered chiton with borders of engrailed and wave patterns, girdle and cross-belt with astragalus pattern, embroidered chlamys with border of dots, fastened with a fibula in front, and endromides; between his legs is a fallen yellow prochoos; above him is incised: ΑΝΤΗΝΩΡ, Ἀντήνωρ. Over the altar is a purple and white rainbow enclosing a black space which is filled with white dots, representing drops of the rain sent in answer to Alcmene’s prayer; below the pyre are two white thunderbolts, as if cast by Zeus at Amphitryon and Antenor. On each side of the rainbow, on a higher level (indicated by a wavy white line ending in a palmette), is the upper half of a female figure pouring water out of a hydria, which is indicated by black and white streaks; these two figures are the Hyades. The one on the left has long hair, a broad purple fillet with white chevron pattern, necklace, long purple chiton embroidered with white dots, and white girdle; the other has her hair tied in a club with a purple fillet embroidered with white dots, which goes twice round her head; otherwise she is attired as the first. On the left, on the same level, is the upper part of Zeus to right, bearded, with long curls, wreath, and drapery over left shoulder with chequer border, in right hand a sceptre, left extended; he is inscribed ΙΕΥΣ, Ζέυς. On the right is Eos to left, with hair gathered in a knot at the back under a purple cap embroidered with white dots, earrings, necklace, long chiton and apoptygma, embroidered with palmettes and engrailed border; in right hand she holds up a mirror; above her is inscribed ΑΩΣ, Ἠώς. Under the lip of the vase is incised: ΠΥΘΩΝΕΓΡΑΦΕ, Πυθων ἐγραφε.
For the scene of a, cf. BM Vase F193.
For the chiton with dots, see J.H.S. xi. p. 229.