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A woman plays the aulos (a double-reeded wind instrument, often played at symposia and other festive occasions in the ancient Greek world). Attic red-figure lekythos (oil jar), attributed to the Brygos Painter; ca. 480 BCE. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fragment from an Apulian red-figure volute-krater, depicting a woman's head (gorgoneion?) in relief. Artist unknown; ca. 350-320 BCE. Now in the Museum der Universität Tübingen, Germany. Photo credit: ArchaiOptix/Wikimedia Commons.
The god Dionysos, holding a kantharos (two-handled drinking cup) in his right hand and a grapevine in his left. Side A of an Attic red-figure amphora attributed to the Berlin Painter and dated between 490 and 480 BCE. Found at Vulci; now in the Louvre.
An episode from the Gigantomachy: Poseidon, wielding his trident, attacks the Giant Polybotes, while Gaia (from whom the Giants sprang) looks on. Interior of an Attic red-figure kylix (drinking cup) by the painter Aristophanes; ca. 410 BCE. Now in the Antikensammlung Berlin. Photo credit: Sailko/Wikimedia Commons.
A woman pulls wool from a kalathos (basket). Attic red-figure lekythos by an unknown artist, ca. 480-470 BCE. From Tanagra, Boeotia; now in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens. Photo credit: Marsyas/Wikimedia Commons.
A mystic scene. The deity Kabeiros, worshiped (normally as part of a group, the Kabeiroi) on the Aegean island of Samothrace, is shown identified with Dionysos in his chthonic aspect. He reclines as at a symposium; in his left hand is an egg, suggesting rebirth, while his right hand holds a kantharos (two-handled drinking cup), from which a snake drinks. The snake itself is a common chthonic symbol: its ability to shed its skin was often understood as symbolic of the "death" and rebirth of initiates into mystery cults. Side A of a red-figure krater by the Mystai Painter, late 5th century BCE. From Boeotia; now in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens. Photo credit: Zde/Wikimedia Commons.
Heracles, having cast aside his club, wrecks the household of the sea god Nereus with a trident, as part of his attempt to extort from Nereus the location of the Apples of the Hesperides. Attic red-figure pelike by the painter Myson; ca. 490 BCE. Now in the Staatliche Antikensammlungen, Munich, Germany. Photo credit: ArchaiOptix/Wikimedia Commons.
Orpheus plays the lyre and sings between two standing Thracians. Side A of an Attic red-figure pelike, after the manner of the Kleophon Painter; ca. 430 BCE. Now in the British Museum. Photo credit: ArchaiOptix/Wikimedia Commons.
A serving scene. It is usually interpreted as Briseis serving Achilles' aged tutor Phoenix, but it has also been suggested that it may represent Hecamede waiting on Nestor. Tondo of an Attic red-figure kylix (the so-called Ilioupersis Cup), signed by the potter Brygos and decorated by the Brygos Painter; ca. 490 BCE. Found at Vulci; now in the Louvre.
Actaeon, in the process of transforming into a deer, is set upon by his hounds. Apulian red-figure skyphos, artist unknown; ca. 400-350 BCE. Now in the Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe, Germany. Photo credit: Carole Raddato.
A physician treats a patient. Attic red-figure aryballos, name-vase of the Clinic Painter; 470s BCE. Now in the Louvre. Photo credit: Marie-Lan Nguyen/Wikimedia Commons.
Pegasus. Attic red-figure plate, artist unknown; 420s BCE. Now in the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome. Photo credit: Carole Raddato.
The nymph Kallisto, companion of Artemis, begins her enforced transformation into a bear. Apulian red-figure chous, attributed to a painter adjacent to the Black Fury Group; ca. 360 BCE. Now in the Getty Villa, Malibu.
Women celebrating the Adonia (Festival of Adonis). Fragment of an Attic red-figure lebes gamikos (wedding vase), attributed to the Painter of Athens 1454; ca. 430-420 BCE. Now in the Louvre.
A boy plays with a yo-yo. Tondo of an Attic red-figure kylix, artist unknown; ca. 440 BCE. Now in the Altes Museum, Berlin.
Two women washing clothes. Side A of an Attic red-figure pelike, attributed to the Pan Painter; ca. 470-460 BCE. Now in the Louvre.
A young bride makes preparations for her wedding. Side A of an Attic red-figure lebes gamikos, attributed to the Mykonos Painter; 1st half of 5th cent. BCE. Now in the Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen. Photo credit: Marie-Lan Nguyen/Wikimedia Commons.
