Pelops on an Early Fourth Century BC Krater from Pella

In this article part of a red-figure bell krater, found in the area of the new entrance of the archaeological site of Pella, is presented. This vase is very interesting because of its rare iconographic subject. On side A the chariot of Pelops is depicted. From other sherds of the same vase we come to the conclusion that on the same chariot Hippodameia was also probably shown. In this scene elements of the abduction of Hippodameia by Pelops, as well as the chariot race between Pelops and Oinomaos, can be traced. The vase is attributed to the workshop of the Painter of Athens 12255 and is dated to the beginning of the fourth century BC. This dating makes it possible to connect the krater’s iconographic subject to king Archelaos’ quadriga victory at the Olympic Games and the celebration of the Olympia festival in Macedonia. The krater under examination is one among the many red-figure vases that arrived in the Macedonian capital from Attica

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Art history · Chariot · Glory · Macedonian · Painting · Politics · Subject (documents · Vase · Victory · Visual arts · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classics · Computer Science · Historical and Literary Studies · History · Law