Lekythos (unguent container): Herakles Attacking the Giant Alkyoneus
Artist: The Leagros Group (Greek)
Date: about 510 BCE
Dimensions:
H: 10 1/4 in. (26 cm); Diam (lip): 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm); Diam (foot): 3 1/8 in. (8 cm)
Medium: Black Figure; Wheel-thrown, slip-decorated earthenware with incised details.
Place of Origin: Greek, Attica
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1952.66
Label Text:Intended to hold scented olive oil and left as an offering at a grave, this flask illustrates a story about the hero Herakles. The monster-giant Alkyoneus was immortal, but only as long as he stayed inside the borders of Pallene, a part of the region of Thrace to the north of Greece. With the help of his patron goddess Athena and the winged god Hypnos (Sleep), Herakles sneaked up on Alkyoneus while he was sleeping, wounded him, and then dragged him outside of Pallene to die. The connection between sleep and death made the scene appropriate for decorating a funeral gift.
DescriptionScene: Herakles attacking the giant Alkyoneus put to sleep by Hypnos, flying above.
Not on view
In Collection(s)