Terracotta neck-amphora with twisted handles (jar)

Pilos Head Group

ca. 350–325 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Obverse, young warrior seated on an altar and bearded warrior. Reverse, youth On the neck, obverse, head of youth with pilos (pointed cap). Reverse, female head The protagonist of the main scene has been identified as either Orestes, son of Agamemnon and Klytemnestra, or Neoptolemos, son of Achilles and Deidameia. In one account, both men vied for the hand of Hermione, daughter of Menelaos and Helen, resulting in Orestes' murder of Neoptolemos. The representation poignantly conveys the misfortune visited upon the children of Greece's greatest heroes.

Artist

Pilos Head Group

Date

ca. 350–325 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, South Italian, Campanian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Museum Accession