Terracotta neck-amphora (jar)

Antimenes Painter

ca. 520 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Obverse, Herakles bringing the Erymanthian Boar to King Eurystheus Reverse, Ajax carrying the body of Achilles The Greek hero Achilles was killed at Troy by an arrow that pierced his heel, the only vulnerable spot on his body. Though shot by Paris, the arrow was guided to its mark by Apollo. After Achilles fell, a fierce conflict erupted for possession of his body. While Odysseus kept the Trojans at bay, Ajax carried the corpse back to the Greek encampment. Depictions of Ajax bearing his fully armed comrade always emphasize Achilles' weight. One can assume that a warrior's equipment weighed almost as much as he did.

Artist

Antimenes Painter

Date

ca. 520 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1956