Ancient Greek Art: Orestes & the Erinyes

Orestes pursued by the Erinyes | Greek vase, Lucanian red figure nestoris

T40.3 ORESTES & THE ERINYES

Museum Collection: Museo Archaeologico Nazionale di Napoli, Naples, Italy
Museum Catalogue No.: TBA
Beazley Archive No.: N/A
Ware: Lucanian Red Figure
Shape: Nestoris
Painter: --
Date: ca 380 BC
Period: Late Classical

ARTICLES

Erinyes

SUMMARY

Orestes is tormented by the avenging Furies (Erinyes) of his mother Klytaimnestra, as punishment for the crime of matricide. The goddesses raise their serpent-entwined against him, as the hero tries futily to defend himself with a sword.