Detail of a Terracotta Amphora Attributed to the Gallatin Painter in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, December 2010

Terracotta amphora (jar)

Attributed to the Gallatin Painter

Period: Classical

Date: ca. 480 B.C.

Culture: Greek, Attic

Medium: Terracotta

Dimensions: H. 14 7/16 in. (36.7 cm); diameter 10 13/16 in. (27.4 cm)

Classification: Vases

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1941

Accession Number: 41.162.101

Description:

Obverse, Theseus killing the brigand Skiron
Reverse, Theseus slaying the Minotaur

The exploits of Theseus differ from those of Herakles in that Theseus's major deeds had to do with the fortunes of Athens during its mythical past. The killing of Skiron occurred as Theseus was on his way to assert an ancestral claim to Attica. Skiron forced travelers to wash his feet and, while they were thus occupied, he kicked them into the sea. Later, Theseus killed the Minotaur to liberate Attica from Cretan domination.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/1300...