Terracotta group of two girls playing a game known as ephedrismos

Unknown

late 4th–early 3rd century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

The subject of this group with one person carrying another has a long history in Greek art. It is thought to illustrate a game called ephedrismos. A stone was placed upright on the ground, and balls or pebbles were thrown at it from a distance. The loser's eyes were covered, and he had to carry the other player on his back until he found and touched the stone. There were probably a number of variations. Here the little girl carries her companion but does not have her eyes covered.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 4th–early 3rd century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Corinthian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1907