“Aristonothos Krater”- I - Odysseus vs Poliphemus
As a product of Etruscan and Greek interaction, the so-called “Aristonothos Krater” is unique. Dating from the first half of the seventh century, it features the first Greek artist's signature known, and the earliest representation of a scene featured in Homeric epic. Krater side A depicts the mythical scene of the blinding of the Cyclops Polyphemus, by Odysseus and his companions, in addition, it contains the signature of the potter, Aristonothos. Side B contains an image of a sea battle between an oared ship, on the left, and a sailing ship on the right.
Aristonothos has inscribed his name not just on, but into the mythical scene of blinding. In fact, he signs his name in the narrative center of the scene, just on the tip of the incandescent pole used to blind the already drunk cyclops. According to the story, Polyphemus has asked Odysseus his name, and Odysseus has replied that he is called “Outis”: “No-one”, or “No-name”.
The inscription, “Aristonothos epoisen” is an extraordinary one. “Epoisen” is the usual form for indicating the maker of a pot, but the name Aristonothos is peculiar. The prefix Aristo (“best” or “noble”) is a very common one in Greek personal names. However, in all these instances save one, the word which follows to make up the compound name carries positive connotations. Names such as Aristo-demos (best tribe) and Aristo-kleia (best repute) make up 266 of the names we know; Aristonothos is the only Aristoname to contain a word like “nothos”, “bastard”. The name is therefore not only exceptional in terms of its frequency, but also in its composition.
The vessel was found in one of the Etruscan cemeteries at Cerveteri towards the end of the nineteenth century. The vase is 36 cm high, and 40 cm in diameter at its widest point, just beneath the handles. The decoration on the pot is made up of both figured and abstract ornamentation, painted in a very fine red-brown slip.
Source: Vedia Izzet: “Aristonothos Inscription and Krater”
Outline bell krater
Attributed to Aristonothos
H. 36 cm; W. 40 cm.
650 BC
from Cerveteri
Capitoline Museums (Palazzo dei Conservatori), Rome, Inv 172
“Aristonothos Krater”- I - Odysseus vs Poliphemus
As a product of Etruscan and Greek interaction, the so-called “Aristonothos Krater” is unique. Dating from the first half of the seventh century, it features the first Greek artist's signature known, and the earliest representation of a scene featured in Homeric epic. Krater side A depicts the mythical scene of the blinding of the Cyclops Polyphemus, by Odysseus and his companions, in addition, it contains the signature of the potter, Aristonothos. Side B contains an image of a sea battle between an oared ship, on the left, and a sailing ship on the right.
Aristonothos has inscribed his name not just on, but into the mythical scene of blinding. In fact, he signs his name in the narrative center of the scene, just on the tip of the incandescent pole used to blind the already drunk cyclops. According to the story, Polyphemus has asked Odysseus his name, and Odysseus has replied that he is called “Outis”: “No-one”, or “No-name”.
The inscription, “Aristonothos epoisen” is an extraordinary one. “Epoisen” is the usual form for indicating the maker of a pot, but the name Aristonothos is peculiar. The prefix Aristo (“best” or “noble”) is a very common one in Greek personal names. However, in all these instances save one, the word which follows to make up the compound name carries positive connotations. Names such as Aristo-demos (best tribe) and Aristo-kleia (best repute) make up 266 of the names we know; Aristonothos is the only Aristoname to contain a word like “nothos”, “bastard”. The name is therefore not only exceptional in terms of its frequency, but also in its composition.
The vessel was found in one of the Etruscan cemeteries at Cerveteri towards the end of the nineteenth century. The vase is 36 cm high, and 40 cm in diameter at its widest point, just beneath the handles. The decoration on the pot is made up of both figured and abstract ornamentation, painted in a very fine red-brown slip.
Source: Vedia Izzet: “Aristonothos Inscription and Krater”
Outline bell krater
Attributed to Aristonothos
H. 36 cm; W. 40 cm.
650 BC
from Cerveteri
Capitoline Museums (Palazzo dei Conservatori), Rome, Inv 172