A terracotta vase with a black illustration of a chariot scene with horses and figures, bordered by ornamental borders and floral motifs.
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Unknown Maker, Greek

Storage Jar (Amphora)
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, Greek

Culture

Greek

Title

Storage Jar (Amphora)

Year

550-525 BCE

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

clay

Geography

Place Made: Attica

Dimensions

Height: 41.6 cm (16 3/8 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Gustav Radeke

Object Number

22.212

Type

Exhibition History

Ancient Greek and Roman Galleries
Sep 22, 2010

Label copy

This storage jar, or amphora, once held liquids
(such as water, wine,
or oil) or dry goods. Amphorae often
had lids, but very
few survive today.



One side of this example depicts the Greek hero
Herakles (Hercules to the Romans) becoming a god after
completing his Twelve Labors. Before him stands the goddess
Athena, and behind her is the god Hermes. A crowded combat scene
decorates the other side. A warrior drives a chariot drawn by
four horses that are about to trample a wounded warrior. Greek
deities and warriors were frequently depicted on Athenian amphorae.

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Greek
Storage Jar (Amphora), 550-525 BCE
Terracotta, black-figure
Height: 41.6 cm (16 3/8 inches)
Gift of Mrs. Gustav Radeke 22.212

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