M13.2 HERAKLES & THE HYDRA

Museum Collection: Musée du Louvre, Paris, France
Catalogue Number: Louvre CA598
Beazley Archive Number: 461
Ware: Attic Black Figure (White Ground)
Shape: Lekythos
Painter: Attributed to the Diosphos Painter
Date: ca 500 - 480 BC
Period: Late Archaic

SUMMARY

Herakles battles the nine-headed serpent Hydra. He slices off the heads with a sword, while his squire, Ioloas, applies a burning torch to the neck stumps. At the feet of the hero, a giant crab (constellation Cancer), snaps with its claws at his legs. Behind him stands the goddess Athene in support, holding a spear, and wearing a helm and snake trimmed aigis cloak.

NOTEThis is a montage of several photos of the vase.

ARTICLESHydra Lernaia, Karkinos