Detail of a Terracotta Pelike Attributed to the Acheloos Painter in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2017

Terracotta pelike (wine jar)

Attributed to the Acheloös Painter

Period:Archaic

Date:ca. 510 B.C.

Culture:Greek, Attic

Medium:Terracotta; black-figure

Dimensions:H. 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm)

Classification:Vases

Credit Line:Rogers Fund, 1949

Accession Number:49.11.1

Obverse, the henchmen of King Midas lying in wait for Silenos
Reverse, flute player and two boxers

The difference between satyrs and silens cannot be defined conclusively, but silens are often considered older satyrs. Silens could be endowed with great wisdom in addition to a great capacity for wine. King Midas of Phrygia once had his men trap a silen by luring him to a fountain of water mixed with wine. Midas's purpose was to benefit from the silen's counsel.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254611