[Image not available]
Three-dimensional approximation of the vase
Side A: Menelaos (or Ajax) seizing Helen (or Kassandra)
| Collection: | London, British Museum |
| Summary: | Side A: Menelaos (or Ajax) seizing Helen (or Kassandra). Side B: Draped bearded man. |
| Ware: | Attic Red Figure |
| Painter: | Attributed to the Dwarf Painter |
| Context: | From Capua |
| Date: | ca. 440 BC - ca. 430 BC |
| Primary Citation: | |
| Shape: | Nolan amphora |
| Beazley Number: | 214142 |
| Period: | Classical |
Condition:
Surface badly abraded in some areas, especially the lower body of Menelaos/Ajax.
Decoration Description:
Side A: A woman rushes towards a statue of a nude youth, while a man grabs her from behind by her hair. The statue is a typical kouros type; a nude standing youth with his arms by his sides, probably in this case depicting Apollo. It is roughly two-thirds life-size, and is placed on a platform. The woman runs up to it, almost seeming to trip over the platform. Her arms are extended to grasp at it, while her head is being pulled back by the tug at her hair. She wears a belted chiton with a cloak, and her hair is loose and flowing over her shoulders. The man behind her is a warrior; he wears a crested helmet and greaves (the middle part of his body is missing), and carries a spear and shield with a wolf (or lion?) shield device. He steps up on the platform with his right foot and grasps the woman's hair with his right hand. He appears to be gritting his teeth, and looks rather ferocious.
This scene has been interpreted either as Helen seized by Menelaos (Boardman, 61) or the rape of Kassandra by Ajax (Simon, 123).
Side B: A draped, bearded man stands, holding a staff.
Sources Used:
Other Bibliography: