Herakles’ 9th Labor: Amazonomachy
Fight scenes decorate the cover of this kylix: an Amazonomachy with Heracles as protagonist, is followed by groups of hoplites fighting around the bodies of fallen companions. On the cover right side, Herakles, wearing his Nemean lion skin, leonthe, and armed with the club, is defeating an Amazon wearing an oriental costume; the blood flows copiously from the wounds of the female warrior. Further on, in counterclockwise, there are two fully armed hoplites fighting; a naked warrior, armed with a spear, has fallen at their feet. A white painted leg decorates one of their shields. Beside them, a draped figure is standing. Further on, a group of two fighting warriors; a naked adversary, stretched out at their feet, faces down on the ground. A flying white bird decorates one of their shields, the other shows a star created by crossed triangles. Further on, a new draped figure; finally, a group of three fully armed hoplites.
The medallion on the lid center shows an erotic scene: a naked man, kneeling, raises in his arms and leans a naked woman on his thighs.
Boeotian black figured white ground kylix
High 8 cm. – Diam. 19 cm
Late 6th century BC
From Tanagra, Boeotia
Athens, National Archaeological Museum, inv. n. 408
Herakles’ 9th Labor: Amazonomachy
Fight scenes decorate the cover of this kylix: an Amazonomachy with Heracles as protagonist, is followed by groups of hoplites fighting around the bodies of fallen companions. On the cover right side, Herakles, wearing his Nemean lion skin, leonthe, and armed with the club, is defeating an Amazon wearing an oriental costume; the blood flows copiously from the wounds of the female warrior. Further on, in counterclockwise, there are two fully armed hoplites fighting; a naked warrior, armed with a spear, has fallen at their feet. A white painted leg decorates one of their shields. Beside them, a draped figure is standing. Further on, a group of two fighting warriors; a naked adversary, stretched out at their feet, faces down on the ground. A flying white bird decorates one of their shields, the other shows a star created by crossed triangles. Further on, a new draped figure; finally, a group of three fully armed hoplites.
The medallion on the lid center shows an erotic scene: a naked man, kneeling, raises in his arms and leans a naked woman on his thighs.
Boeotian black figured white ground kylix
High 8 cm. – Diam. 19 cm
Late 6th century BC
From Tanagra, Boeotia
Athens, National Archaeological Museum, inv. n. 408