Terracotta oinochoe (jug)

Mannheim Painter

ca. 440 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Three Amazons The Amazons on this splendid oinochoe are all named. Iole leads; she is equipped with a pelta (crescent-shaped shield), a bow and quiver, and a battle-ax. Antiope, facing forward, leads a horse and holds two spears. Penthesilea follows with a pelta, a bow and quiver, and spears. Antiope and Penthesilea were well known for their part in the lives of Theseus and Achilles, respectively. Throughout Greek art, in depictions of combat between Greeks and their enemies, the latter are always rendered as worthy antagonists. This perception applies particularly to Amazons.

Artist

Mannheim Painter

Date

ca. 440 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1906