Psykter, ca. 520–510 B.C.; Archaic; red-figure Attributed to Oltos. Greek, Attic Terracotta; H. 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm) Gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust, 1989 (1989.281.69) Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Hoplites astride dolphins encircle the body of this psykter, a vessel used for cooling wine at symposia (drinking parties). After filling the psykter with wine, participants would have placed it inside a large krater containing cold water. As the psykter bobbed in the water, the dolphins would have appeared as if diving into and leaping from the depths of the krater. This psykter is attributed to Oltos, an early red-figure painter who specialized in decorating cups and other vessels used at symposia.
Each of the six hoplites on this drinking vessel is armed with a shield and spear; each wears a Corinthian helmet, greaves, and a cuirass over a short chiton. Their postures are almost identical, as befitting a well-disciplined military squadron. Only the emblems on their shields vary: three are vessels used at symposia—a krater, kantharos, and cup, and three are symbols—a whirl with four dolphins, a triskelis (three running legs that symbolize human industry), and a whirl with the foreparts of a lion, horse, and griffin. The painter carefully arranged each ornament so as to impart a certain rhythm to the scene.
A number of vases from this period are decorated with hoplites riding dolphins. Each of these scenes, however, includes a flute player, which suggests that the hoplites represent a Greek chorus. The similarity of the dolphin riders on this psykter with the choruses of dolphin riders on these other vessels suggests that this scene, too, illustrates a dramatic chorus, perhaps from a contemporary play performed on the Athenian stage. On this particular vessel, the words "upon the dolphin," which are carefully inscribed in retrograde in front of the mouth of each hoplite, may be the opening words recited by the chorus.
3 comments:
Was there a minimum age one had to be in order to participate in symposia?
Is this where a symposium got it's name?
Hurrah for the light hoppers .... (no disrespect intended!)
Actually - I'd like to try riding a dolphin.
I wonder if the increasing gas prices will generate a revival of antiquated methods of transportation...will the draft horses of yore experience a new usefulness?
I used to hook up my German Shepherd Beau to a red wagon & he'd haul the kids about, and in the winter he'd pull them on a sled out on the pond (much to the consternation of the ice fishermen)...I better start training these bully dogs to the harness soon, hmmm, maybe I need a few more bulldogs....it's a long way to town.
Symposia were for adult men in Athens. (The Spartans were more abstemious.) Women may have had their own parties, but that is unrecorded (as only men mattered)The men used to have clubs or societies, and they'd get together regularly, sharing the expenses, so you'd be drinking and talking with people you knew. sym=with, posion=drink. Yes, that's where the academic term symposium comes from. Plato's "Symposium" records one such party at which Sokrates plied his brilliant questions, while Plato (a disciple who had been a great wrestler in his youth, as I have just found out in The Last of the Wine, a novel by Mary Renault) wrote it all down.
Cheryl, I hope there will be many new and old methods of transportation coming into use soon. I just saw 2 beautiful Dalmation dogs being walked down the street. They would make a very stylish pair to pull a dogcart. Your boxers seem patient and willing but wouldn't their harness drag in the dirt and get caught on brush? They would be so cute bouncing along in their jolly little coats in the winter with their red tongues lolling out.
Post a Comment