Terracotta hydria (water jar)

Unknown

ca. 560–550 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 560–550 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1906