Greek, Attica

The ancient Greeks always diluted their wine with at least an equal amount of water, mixing the two liquids in large vessels such as this krater. The expansive exterior surfaces of kraters allowed vase painters to depict complicated scenes with multiple figures.

Side A
Here Herakles (the Roman Hercules), having successfully completed the Twelve Labors, enters Mount Olympus to become a god. Wearing a lion skin, Herakles steps onto a chariot drawn by four horses. Behind him is Iolaos, his charioteer. The goddess Athena, wearing a crested helmet and breastplate and carrying a spear, faces Herakles. Behind her stands the wine god Dionysos, identified by the garland of ivy leaves on his head. Apollo, god of music, wearing a laurel wreath and holding a kithara, is on the right.

Side B
The Athenian hero Theseus, shown here wrestling the Minotaur, is wearing a lion skin in imitation of the Greek hero Herakles. Directly behind Theseus is the princess Ariadne, who helped him to defeat the Minotaur. Behind her is a youth, holding a spear and watching the action. Two similar youths watch on the right. These probably represent the Athenians rescued by Theseus after the slaughter of the Minotaur.