Amphora; Attributed to the Acheloos Painter; ca. 500 BC; 171.86

Amphora; Attributed to the Acheloos Painter; ca. 500 BC; 171.86
From

Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/Title

Amphora

About this object

Athenian Black-figure amphora of a Panathenaic shape. Attributed to the Acheloos Painter within the Leagros Group.

Athena, goddess of Athens, strides across this olive oil amphora, which is a variant of those used as prizes for contests at the Panathenaic games. Games were held annually to celebrate the city’s patron deity, but every four years they were elevated to a larger festival in the goddess’s honour.

On prize amphorae, Athena is usually shown as she appears here, battle ready wearing her snake-fringed aegis and high-crested Attic helmet, with spear raised and shield decorated with ivy leaves. This is the goddess as Athena Promachos, the Athena who fights on the front line, ready to defend her city. She strides between two Doric columns surmounted by fighting cocks, symbolising the competitive spirit.

Maker

Attributed to the Acheloos Painter

Maker Role

Artist

Date Made

ca. 500 BC

Place Made

Greece

Medium and Materials

Ceramic; Pottery

Style and Iconography

Black-figure

Style and Iconography

Pseudo-Panathenaic

Technique

Throwing (pottery technique)

Technique

Polychromy

Measurements

Height (to lip) 74.6cm; Diameter 40.2cm

Subject and Association Keywords

Women in art

Subject and Association Keywords

Art and mythology

Named Collection

The James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit Line

Purchased, 1986

Object Type

Storage Vessels

Object number

171.86

Rights

All rights reserved

This object is from
Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities    Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities
Tags
ancient greece
british museum
Goddesses
Highlights
We could be Heroes

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