The KleophradesPainter
Michael Padgett, Princeton University

10. Kraters: The Trojan War

Several calyx-kraters treat subjects from the Trojan War, a favorite topic of the Kleophrades Painter, perhaps spurred by the tragedies of Aeschylus.[59] On a fragmentary krater in Athens, Achilles sits dejectedly with his hand on his hand, either in mourning for the death of Patroklos or wrathful at the departure of Briseis (some fragments show parts of an unidentified woman).[60] He assumes the same posture on fragments from a calyx-krater in Athens, which may have represented the Mission to Achilles.[61] On another calyx-krater from the Kerameikos, Priam has come to ransom the body of Hektor, which lies below Achilles' couch.[62] The scene continued on the reverse, where youths bear vessels and armor for the ransom.[63]

59. See J. Boardman, "The Kleophrades Painter at Troy," AntK 19 (1976) 3-18.

61. Athens, Kerameikos 418; Knigge 1970, pl. 1. Cf. the Mission to Achilles on the kalpis Munich 8770; Para., 341, 73 bis; F. W. Hamdorf, "Eine neue Hydria des Kleophradesmalers," Pantheon 32 (Sept. 1974) 219-24.

63. Four other calyx-kraters by the painter also may have Trojan subjects. Beazley thought a badly damaged vase in the Basel market might represent Theano and Antenor being rescued at the sack of Troy (ARV2, 186, 48), and suggested that the old man on a fragment from the Agora (Athens, Agora P 20244; ARV2, 185, 38) might be Phoenix. Boardman believes the two warriors on the obverse of New York 08.258.58 (ARV2, 185, 36) may be Diomedes and Glaukos exchanging arms; see Boardman 1976, 15-18. A fourth possibility is Louvre G 48 (ARV2, 185, 33), with warriors quarreling, perhaps over the armor of Achilles.