Theatrical Performance – IX – Parody of Cheiron’s Myth
Scene from a comedy: parody of the myth of centaur Cheiron (Chiron) cured by Apollo (or Asclepios). Cheiron became involved in a Centauromachy broke out when Heracles visited the civilized centaur Pholus; he was accidentally injured by Heracles with an arrow poisoned with the blood of the hydria.
On the left is a stage, on which a projecting porch represents the temple of Apollo at Delphi. The stage is approached by a ladder of four steps, on the second of which the slave Xanthias stands; his name ...VθΙΑΣ, Ξα]νθίας is incised above him. He has preceded Cheiron up the ladder, and turns round to help him up by placing right hand on his head. Xanthias is bald and bearded, with short girt bordered chiton, under-garment with sleeves and “anaxyrides”, pantaloons, in one piece, and phallos; he wears a mask with snub nose and large mouth. On the stage behind him there are a large bundle ornamented with zigzags and rings, fastened to a yoke, and a “pilos”, cap, which he has laid down to assist Cheiron, whose name, ΧΙΡΩΝ – Χίρων, is incised near him. Cheiron stands on the two lower steps, leaning on a crooked staff; the hinder part of the Centaur is formed by a slave pushing from behind. Cheiron is partly bald, with white hair, beard, and shaggy eyebrows, mask with exaggerated nose and mouth, bordered himation, under-garment as Xanthias, and phallos; his eyes are closed to indicate blindness. The slave is partly bald, with white hair and beard, mask and dress as Cheiron; behind him is standing a no-named youth to left, wearing wreath and himation, probably Achilles, who was the Centaur’s pupil. Above Cheiron is. On the right above is a line indicating rocky ground, over which are seen the upper parts of two Nymphs partly turned towards one another, as if conversing; they have masks with protruding lips, and wear white fillets, long chitons, and bordered himatia. The one on the right wears a veil, which she draws forward with right hand, and the other has curly hair and a beaded “ampyx”, headband; above them is incised: NY…ΑΙ, Νύ[μφ]αί. The presence of these two figures may have reference to the Nymphs of Anigros, where Cheiron bathed after being wounded by Heracles.
Walters H.B., “Catalogue of the Greek and Etruscan Vases in the British Museum” – Vol. IV – Vases of the latest period
Apulian red-figured bell krater
H. 38 cm; Dm. 40 cm
Attributed to The McDaniel Painter
380 - 370 BC
London, The British Museum – F 151 – Inv. No. 1849,0620.13
Theatrical Performance – IX – Parody of Cheiron’s Myth
Scene from a comedy: parody of the myth of centaur Cheiron (Chiron) cured by Apollo (or Asclepios). Cheiron became involved in a Centauromachy broke out when Heracles visited the civilized centaur Pholus; he was accidentally injured by Heracles with an arrow poisoned with the blood of the hydria.
On the left is a stage, on which a projecting porch represents the temple of Apollo at Delphi. The stage is approached by a ladder of four steps, on the second of which the slave Xanthias stands; his name ...VθΙΑΣ, Ξα]νθίας is incised above him. He has preceded Cheiron up the ladder, and turns round to help him up by placing right hand on his head. Xanthias is bald and bearded, with short girt bordered chiton, under-garment with sleeves and “anaxyrides”, pantaloons, in one piece, and phallos; he wears a mask with snub nose and large mouth. On the stage behind him there are a large bundle ornamented with zigzags and rings, fastened to a yoke, and a “pilos”, cap, which he has laid down to assist Cheiron, whose name, ΧΙΡΩΝ – Χίρων, is incised near him. Cheiron stands on the two lower steps, leaning on a crooked staff; the hinder part of the Centaur is formed by a slave pushing from behind. Cheiron is partly bald, with white hair, beard, and shaggy eyebrows, mask with exaggerated nose and mouth, bordered himation, under-garment as Xanthias, and phallos; his eyes are closed to indicate blindness. The slave is partly bald, with white hair and beard, mask and dress as Cheiron; behind him is standing a no-named youth to left, wearing wreath and himation, probably Achilles, who was the Centaur’s pupil. Above Cheiron is. On the right above is a line indicating rocky ground, over which are seen the upper parts of two Nymphs partly turned towards one another, as if conversing; they have masks with protruding lips, and wear white fillets, long chitons, and bordered himatia. The one on the right wears a veil, which she draws forward with right hand, and the other has curly hair and a beaded “ampyx”, headband; above them is incised: NY…ΑΙ, Νύ[μφ]αί. The presence of these two figures may have reference to the Nymphs of Anigros, where Cheiron bathed after being wounded by Heracles.
Walters H.B., “Catalogue of the Greek and Etruscan Vases in the British Museum” – Vol. IV – Vases of the latest period
Apulian red-figured bell krater
H. 38 cm; Dm. 40 cm
Attributed to The McDaniel Painter
380 - 370 BC
London, The British Museum – F 151 – Inv. No. 1849,0620.13