Κύπρια - Cypria, the Epic Poem. Achilles ambushing Troilos

The painted surface of the amphora side A) shows a famous mythological scene, Achilles' ambush to Troilus, and two friezes decorated with parades of real animals and Sirens. The scene of the ambush of Troilos is frequently proposed in the context of the Tyrrhenian amphorae. In this case, however, a second female character of problematic identification is introduced alongside the protagonist, Polyxena. She is larger than Polyxena, portrayed with a Hydria near the fountain, and her gesture is authoritative. In the original story she probably played a today unknown role, but, undoubtedly, from the narrative point of view, her presence creates a certain disturbance to the drama described by the painter: Achilles in ambush, Troilos as an adolescent victim and his sister Polyxena. Behind Troilus two hoplites complete the scene.

The earliest surviving literary reference to Troilos is in Homer's Iliad, when Priam berates his surviving sons, and compares them unfavorably to their dead brothers including Trôïlon hippiocharmên, Iliad (XXIV, 257).

ὤ μοι ἐγὼ πανάποτμος, ἐπεὶ τέκον υἷας ἀρίστους 255
Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ, τῶν δ᾽ οὔ τινά φημι λελεῖφθαι,
Μήστορά τ᾽ ἀντίθεον καὶ Τρωΐλον ἱππιοχάρμην
Ἕκτορά θ᾽, ὃς θεὸς ἔσκε μετ᾽ ἀνδράσιν, οὐδὲ ἐῴκει
ἀνδρός γε θνητοῦ πάϊς ἔμμεναι ἀλλὰ θεοῖο.
[Iliad XXIV 255 -259]
«Woe is me, that am all unblest, seeing that I begat sons the best in the broad land of Troy, yet of them I avow that not one is left, not godlike Mestor, not Troilus the warrior charioteer, not Hector that was a god among men, neither seemed he as the son of a mortal man, but of a god»

Oddly enough, neither Mestor nor Troilos b mentioned elsewhere in Homer. The killing of Troilos by Achilles was related in the Cypria, and was clearly a popular story, as it is often shown in art from the early archaic period onwards, and in literature. The poem Cypria was one of the parts of the Epic Cycle that is no longer extant. The poem covered the events preceding the Trojan War and the first part of the war itself up to the events of the Iliad. Although the Cypria does not survive, most of an ancient summary of the contents, thought to be by Eutychius Proclus, remains.

On side B), two facing sphinxes between two swans.

CAV /CAVI @ www.beazley.ox.ac.uk
Attic black figure amphora
H. 18,1 cm; Dm. 13.5 cm.
Attributed to the Tyrrhenian Group – The Timiades Painter
570 – 560 BC
From Vulci
Rome, Vatican Museums, Museo Gregoriano Etrusco, Inv. No. 39514

Taken in: Vatican / Vatican (show map)

Taken on: January 10, 2015

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Amphora

Anfora

Citta del Vaticano

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G Tirrenico

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Museo Gregoriano Etrusco

P di Timiades

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Tyrrhenian Group

Gruppo Tirrenico

Timiades Painter

Pittore di Timiades

Polyxenam Polissena

Achille

Troilo

Achilles

Troilos

Troilus

Troy

Troia

Tyrrhenian amphora

Anfora tirrenica

greek pottery

ceramica greca

Vulci

Etruria

Rome

Vatican Museums

No. 39514

39514 « less

Sets appears in: • Greek Mythology • Cypria more » • The 2nd Trojan War • Red-Figured Pots • Amphorai • VSC, Museo Gregoriano Etrusco « less

Groups appears in: • Greek Mythology • The Ancient World more » • ANCIENT GREECE ! GRECE ANTIQUE ! • * Ancient ceramic * • World Archaeology & Arts/ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΑ&ΤΕΧΝΕΣ-Rea • Ancient Greek and Roman Art • Heritage Key • Homer illustrated • Photos at the Museum « less

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Camera:	Sony ILCE-7R
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Aperture:	f/11.0
Exposure Time:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Focal Length:	70mm
ISO:	4000
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Manual
Light Source:	Daylight
Sharpness:	Hard
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