- Maurizio Sannibale –
Tumulus of Montetosto, we may add the work of the immigrant vase-painter Aristonothos,
who leaves his signature on the famous krater with the blinding of Polyphemus and a
naval battle between Greeks and Etruscans.
The Plikaśna situla from Chiusi (650 bc), but attributed to Caeretan manufacture,
combines the tradition of the Phoenician-Cypriot cups with Hellenic iconographic
contamination, including funeral games and warriors with Corinthian-type hoplite
armament (Fig. 6.35). Something similar happens with the ivory relief-carved pyxis
from the Pania necropolis of Chiusi (620–580 bc), also produced in southern Etruria.
In an exotic material and a craft-tradition of Levantine heritage are associated Greek
mythological themes and heroes, where they seem to be identifi ed with the Etruscan
aristocracy (Figs 24.1 and 24.2). The bucchero olpe, with relief and incised decoration
from Cerveteri, shows familiarity with the saga of the Argonauts (630 bc), a true
incunabulum of the Greek myth with Etruscan transliteration for the characters of
Medea (Metaia) and Daedalus (Taitale) (Fig. 6.36; see also Chapter 24). The incised stele
Figure 6.35 Situla of Plikaśna. Gilded silver. From Chiusi. Circa 650 bc. Florence, Museo
Archeologico Nazionale. Photo Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana
(photographer: Fernando Guerrini).Figure 6.36 Olpe in bucchero, decorated with relief of Jason, Medea, the Argonauts and Daedalus.
From Cerveteri, Tumulus of San Paolo, tomb 2. 630 bc. Roma, Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia.