Terracotta stamnos (jar)

Berlin Painter

ca. 490 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Obverse, Athena between Hera and Zeus Reverse, warrior leaving home The feature common to both sides of this stamnos is the offering of a libation. On the obverse, Athena holds an oinochoe (jug) as Zeus and Hera proffer phialai (libation bowls) to be filled. On the reverse, a young warrior stands between a seated man and a standing woman who holds an oinochoe and a phiale. The libation is poured when the warrior departs in order to insure his safe return. This combination of scenes provides a remarkably graphic illustration of the ancient Athenians' sense that a communality in belief and practice existed between the mortal and divine worlds.

Artist

Berlin Painter

Date

ca. 490 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Christos G. Bastis, in honor of Dietrich von Bothmer, 1988