Corinthian Aryballos

Corinthian Aryballos

Greece, Ancient

Black-figure (pottery)

Archaic (Greek)

There are two inscriptions on this Corinthian black-figure aryballos. On this aryballos, Herakles battles the Hydra while Athena stands with her hands raised up as if supporting the hero. Herakles grasps one head of the Hydra as he stabs at the monster with his sword. Painted inscriptions identify each of these figures. The handle of the aryballos is decorated with a geometric pattern. The top of the aryballos is decorated as a flower with pedals surrounding the opening of the vase. Under the aryballos’ handle, there are horses pulling a chariot. An aryballos was a container to store perfume or oil. Corinthian pottery at this time was typically designed with rows of animals without any inscriptions, making this particular aryballos unique.

AθΑΝΑ (transliterated Greek) Ἀθήνα (transcribed Greek) Athena (translated) ΗΕΡΑΚΛΕΣ(transliterated Greek) Ἡρακλῆς (transcribed Greek) Herakles (translated)

Unknown

The J. Paul Getty Museum Handbook of the Collections. 4th ed. (Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 1997), p. 44.

600 - 575 B.C.

Amelia Verkerk, Tina Salowey (photo)

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Part of Greek in the Wild: Inscriptions Explained

terracotta (clay material)

black-figure vase painting (image-making)

Ancient Greek

decorative arts

Corinthian Aryballos

Corinth, Peloponnese, Greece

Los Angeles, California, United States