Terracotta Pot, Amphora - 360 degree View

Greek, Attic, Proto-Attic, second quarter of the 7th Century B.C. During the first half of the seventh century B.C. vase painters in Athens abandoned the almost abstract geometric tradition in favor of a vigorous naturalistic style inspired by art imported from the Near East. An early representation of a Greek myth is shown on the front of this monumental vase. The Great Hero Herakles strides to the left, sword in hand, grabbing the hair of Nessos, a centaur who had tried to abduct Herakles' wife, Deianeira. The two components of the centaur (horse and man) are not well integrated in this early representation , but the creature shows emotion pleading for mercy with outstretched hands. Behind Herakles,a four-horse chariot and a driver wait patiently for the outcome of the battle, while a small man attracted by the excitement rushes forward. the scene is depicted with a combination of outline and silhouette enlivened by white and incised lines. A lion attacks deer on the neck vase and horses graze on the shoulder, but most of the surfaceis filled with floral motifs and curvilinear decorations. This vase served as a grave marker.