| Collection: | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston |
| Summary: | Side A: death of Aktaion. Side B: Pan pursuing goatherd. |
| Ware: | Attic Red Figure |
| Painter: | Name vase of the Pan Painter |
| Context: | From Cumae |
| Date: | ca. 470 BC |
| Dimensions: | H. 0.37 m., D. Rim. 0.425 m. |
| Primary Citation: | |
| Shape: | Bell krater |
| Beazley Number: | 206804 |
| Region: | Campania |
| Period: | Early Classical |
Decoration Description:
Side A: the death of Aktaion. Artemis stands at left, drawing away from Aktaion and pointing a bow and arrow at him. Aktaion, at right, collapses as he is attacked by Artemis' hounds, throwing his head back and reaching out in agony. Artemis wears a chiton with overfold, a himation over her right shoulder, a fawnskin with the head of the animal, and round earrings. A thin quiver is on her back, and she holds a spare arrow in her hand, but it will not be necessary to shoot. Aktaion wears a chlamys and sandals, and his sword is still in its sheath at his waist. His eye is half-closed as he expires. The four small hounds leap over him and sink their teeth into his side, neck and arm. All wear collars.
The composition is masterly; "the figures burst apart, as if from an explosion at the base of the vase" (Caskey & Beazley, 2, 46).
Side B: Pan pursuing a goatherd. A young goatherd, wearing a goatskin, a sheepskin cap, stockings and carrying a whip, is pursued by the goat-god. Behind Pan is a wooden herm-like image with erect phallos. The goatherd flees to the left, holding his whip in his right hand, looking back at Pan. His left hand is under his goatskin to keep it close to his body. Pan chases him, both arms outstretched; he has a human body but a goat's head, neck, horns, hooves and a small tail, and an erect phallos. The image of the deity (Priapos? Hermes?) stands on a stylized rock.
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