CLAS105: GREEK MYTHOLOGY

This collection of materials, housed in the Museum’s Classical Teaching Collection, was selected to showcase some of the mythological narratives discussed in the University of Otago Department of Classics’ paper Greek Mythology. The Otago Museum possesses the finest collection of ancient Greek vases in New Zealand, and this collection only represents a small fraction of those that are currently on display.

Some of the most common themes and images on Greek vases come from myth and reflect many of the narratives being told throughout the Mediterranean about the Greek gods and heroes. Some show easily identifiable gods, such as the fully-armoured Athena on the Black-Figure Pelike, E48.226; the god of wine, Dionysus, surrounded by his revellers on the Red-Figure Krater, E60.14; or the god of prophecy and music, Apollo, with his lyre on the Red-Figure Hydria, E48.266. Others show well known scenes from Greek mythology, such as the commissioning of Triptolemus to spread agriculture to the world on the Red-Figure Krater, E48.67 or the flight of Aeneas from Troy on the Black-Figure Lekythos, E54.19. One of the most renowned heroes from the Greek world, Heracles regularly appears on Greek vases and is usually depicted performing one of his famous labours. However, in this collection, on the Black-Figure Amphora, E48.227, he stands between Athena and Hermes, holding his lyre (in many lesser known narratives, Heracles also is an accomplished musician – to at least some extent, but perhaps don’t ask his music teacher). In a Red-Figure Stamnos, E48.262, he is found standing with his club and his prize from the first labour, the skin of the Nemean lion.

These pottery vessels were used in Greek drinking and/or funerary contexts and showcase the importance of the gods and myth in the lives of the Greeks. Greek myth continues to have a lasting importance in society and these easily recognisable images and stories inspire and captivate audiences even today.