Black-Figured Kalpis
(Water Jug)
Greek (Attic)
500 BC
Terracotta
60.32
The archer’s soft, pointed cap identifies him as a Scythian, whom the Greeks regarded as barbarians. Though Greek authors often derided archers for fighting from a distance, archers regularly served in ancient armies.
Red-Figure Cup
Greek (Attic)
ca. 480 BC
Terracotta
63.11
The tondo (interior) of this cup shows a young athlete using a strigil, a special tool used to remove sweat, oil, and grime after exercise. Behind the athlete are depicted a sponge and aryballos, a bottle holding the scented oil athletes applied to themselves before exercising.
Red-Figure Amphora (Storage Vessel)
Attributed to, Tyszkiewicz Painter
Greek (Attic)
Terracotta
62.1.7
The pentathlon included three field events: javelin throw, discus throw, and long jump. The pickax at the athlete’s feet was used to soften the ground; the weights behind him provided momentum in the long jump. On the right hands a bar for the discus.
Almond-Shaped Amphoriskos (Miniature Storage Vessel)
Greek (Attic)
4th Century BC
Terracotta
86.166
“Twice before in their ceremonies the Athenian voices have risen in sweetness to acclaim him; and in earth burnt by fire and the keeping of figured vessels the olive’s yield has come to Hera’s land.”
– Pindar, Nemean Ode
Amphorae filled with oil from a grove of olive trees sacred to the goddess Athena were awarded to the victors at the quadrennial Panathenaic games held in Athens. Each amphora was decorated on one side with an image of Athena and, in most cases, an image of an athletic contest on the other. Small versions such as this example were perhaps souvenirs.
Aryballos (oil bottle) (Primary Title)
Greek (Corinthian)
Unknown Artist
Terracotta
73.30.1
Strigil
Roman
2nd-4th century
Bronze, gilding
79.18
The shape of the handle and the stippled decoration on the back of the blade suggest a Roman period date.
Apulo-Corinthian Helmet
Greek (Southern Italian)
5th century BC
Bronze
2004.3
This South Italian variant of a Corinthian helmet was surmounted by crests of horsehair or feathers attached to the three bronze prongs projecting from the top. The Corinthian helmet was popular throughout the Greek world because it was easily made from a single sheet of hammered bronze and hid almost the entire face of its wearer, presenting his enemy with a fearsome visage.
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