Neck Amphora by Exekias, Greek ceramic vase at Altes Museum, Germany
The Neck Amphora by Exekias is a Greek ceramic vessel featuring black-figure painting technique and standing about 40.5 centimeters tall. One side depicts Herakles battling the Nemean lion while the other shows mounted figures representing mythological characters.
The vessel was created around 540 BCE by the renowned potter and painter Exekias in Athens. It was discovered in 1828 in an Etruscan tomb near Vulci and eventually made its way to Berlin, where it underwent several restorations.
The vase displays scenes from Greek mythology with carefully painted figures that ancient viewers would have recognized and discussed. These representations of warriors and heroes were central to how Athenian people understood their cultural identity.
The amphora is housed in the Altes Museum in Berlin where it is displayed in the permanent collection. Visiting on quieter weekdays allows you to observe the painted details more closely without crowds around the display.
The painted inscriptions on the vase identify the horses by name, offering insight into ancient naming traditions. This allows viewers to understand the depicted scenes not only through images but also through the actual labels the artist included.
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