Etruscan amphora showing Troilos facts for kids
The Ure Museum has a special pot called an Etruscan amphora showing Troilos. An amphora is a tall, two-handled jar used in ancient times for storing things like wine or oil. This particular amphora was made by the Etruscans, an ancient people who lived in Italy before the Romans. It's very old, from the mid to late 500s BC. It's a type of black-figure pot, which means the pictures on it are black against a reddish background. Experts believe it was made by an artist known as the Tityos Painter. The main picture on the pot shows a famous story: the Greek hero Achilles ambushing Troilos, a prince from the city of Troy.
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Contents
What Does the Amphora Show?
This ancient pot is covered with interesting pictures.
Mythical Creatures and Animals
- On the neck of the amphora, you can see two "demi-Gorgons." These are mythical creatures, like the famous Medusa, but only showing the upper part of their bodies.
- The bottom part of the amphora has pictures of wild animals. You can spot two male goats standing on their back legs, two lions (one licking its paw), and a winged human-like figure.
- In the middle of the pot, there's a pattern of palmettes, which are designs shaped like palm leaves. The very base has a simple triangle pattern.
The Story of Achilles and Troilos
The most important pictures are on the main body of the amphora, showing the story of Achilles and Troilos. This story is part of the famous Trojan War.
Achilles' Attack on Troilos
One side of the pot shows Achilles grabbing Troilos. Achilles is shown wearing full armor, including a fancy helmet, chest plate, and leg guards. Troilos, however, looks almost undressed. Some experts, like Professor Percy Ure, thought this scene might show Achilles carrying Troilos to a shrine, not just ambushing him.
The Aftermath of the Ambush
The other side of the amphora shows two riders and a horse without a rider, passing by a fallen man. The first rider, near the empty horse and above the fallen man, is also wearing armor. The second rider and the fallen man are dressed in a style from Thrace, with soft hats and patterned cloaks. Professor Ure believed this scene showed Achilles's attack on Troilos, with another rider coming to help Troilos.
It's interesting that the Etruscan artist might have changed parts of the Greek story. For example, the Greek version often includes Polyxena, Troilos's sister, but she's not on this pot. This could mean the story changed a bit as it traveled to Etruria (where the Etruscans lived), or maybe the artist changed it on purpose to fit what local people liked.
How the Museum Got the Amphora
Professor Percy Ure bought this amphora for the museum in London in 1947. At that time, the museum was called the Museum of Greek Archaeology. Not much was known about where the amphora came from before the auction. It's thought to have been found in Vulci, an Etruscan city northwest of Rome. Professor Ure noted that the scene of Achilles and Troilos was a popular one for decorating tombs in that area. The description of the pot in the auction catalog wasn't very clear. After getting advice from Sir John Beazley, a famous expert, Professor Ure was able to buy it for a good price.
Where You Can See It Today
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Today, the Etruscan amphora is always on display at the Ure Museum. It's one of the most important items in the museum's large collection. Many people, including students and the general public, enjoy seeing this unique piece of ancient art.
