Three statues of Nike, the winged Greek goddess of victory, sit atop this askos (vase) from ancient Cumae in Italy (c. 270‒200 B.C.). The goddess served Zeus as his charioteer and guardian of his throne. This is perhaps why the artist has included winged horses on the lower paintings and emerging from the front of the vessel. Nike was popularly depicted in Greco-Roman art.
The extensive decoration on this round vase is characteristic of askoi from the Hellenistic period. The false spout is decorative, not functional. Askoi were usually found in tombs.
Medusa’s head decorates the front of this terracotta askos. She has hair of living snakes and is so ugly that those who looked upon her turned to stone. Yet the image of her head was used to ward off evil. Above her head dances a maenad—a follower of Dionysos, the Greek god of wine.
Three statues of Nike, the winged Greek goddess of victory, sit atop this askos (vase) from ancient Cumae in Italy (c. 270‒200 B.C.). The goddess served Zeus as his charioteer and guardian of his throne. This is perhaps why the artist has included winged horses on the lower paintings and emerging from the front of the vessel. Nike was popularly depicted in Greco-Roman art. The extensive decoration on this round vase is characteristic of askoi from the Hellenistic period. The false spout is decorative, not functional. Askoi were usually found in tombs. Medusa’s head decorates the front of this […]
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