- Erika Simon –
and his brother Iolaos, both armed, in their fi ght against the Lernaean Hydra, a multi-
headed serpent monster. To the right, at the heel of Herakles, a large crab appears and
between Iolaos’ legs a fi re burns. The fl ames were explained as a weapon against the
Hydra, but Iolaos uses a harpe. According to astral mythology, Hera sent the Cancer of the
zodiac against Herakles when he fought with the Hydra. That sign appears together with
the Dog Star (Sirius) in high summer.^20 At this time of the year – according to archaic
poets – men were fl abby and exhausted.^21 Crab and fi re on the Caeretan hydria, after all,
symbolize the summer heat, sent by Hera against her stepson.
Many vases were imported from Greece, at fi rst from Eastern Ionian regions and from
Corinth and then later (after 580/70 bce) more and more often from Athens. The style
of the different ceramic origins was imitated in Etruria. In the “Corinthianizing” period
(630–540 bce) mythical scenes are rare,^22 whereas in the Etruscan “Black Figure” pottery
(550–480 bce) various myths appear.^23 One of the most famous Athenian vases, the Kleitias
krater in Florence (565/60 bce, also known as the “François Vase”), was found in a tomb of
Chiusi (Figs. 24.5–6).^24 It is decorated with nine mythical scenes. The main frieze, which
runs around the krater, shows Olympian gods visiting the newly married couple Peleus
and Thetis, the future parents of Achilles. Achilles appears in the two framing friezes on
the main side (Fig. 24.5), his dead body is transported by Aiax (Fig. 24.6) on both handle
sides.^25 After all, more than half of the Kleitias krater is connected with the myth of Achilles.
The chariot from Monteleone di Spoleto in New York (540 bce) was made in an
Etruscan workshop (Figs. 24.7 and 24.8)^26 and is adorned with Achilles’ heroic life. At
an exhibition in Viterbo and Rome that was held towards the end of the last century,
spectators were surprised at the high number of tombs with chariots from ancient Italy,
many belonging to noble Etruscans.^27 The Monteleone chariot is the best preserved. Its
wood, of course, is entirely new (see Chapter 41). The metalwork, beaten and engraved
bronze, consists of three panels. Two kouroi connect the big central panel with the sides.
The big central panel of the chariot (Fig. 24.7) illustrates the beginning of book 19
of the Iliad: Thetis brings new weapons for her son Achilles. A frieze beneath one of
the side panels (Fig. 24.8) shows a centaur, a winged fi gure and a youth, who wrestles
Figure 24.5 Attic volute krater (Kleitias krater) found in Chiusi. Front side, main frieze: Olympian
gods visit the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Above: Achilles organizes the chariot race at the funeral for
his friend Patroklos (Iliad book 23). Below: Achilles pursues Troilos who is on horseback (see Fig. 10).
Florence, Mus. Arch. (n. 24).