- chapter 24: Greek myth in Etruscan culture –
Agylla, was said to have been founded by Pelasgians from Thessaly.^14 It is possible that
Greeks lived there, or in Caere’s harbor Pyrgi, in the fi rst half of the seventh century bce,
and among them was one called Aristonothos. He signed the famous krater found in
Caere (Fig. 24.3). It shows the blinding of Polyphemus by Odysseus and his comrades.^15
In this case, inscriptions of mythical names are not needed – the unique adventure from
the ninth book of the Odyssey (402 ff.) speaks for itself. A century later, in the second half
of the^ sixth century bce, the “Caeretan hydriae” turn up.^16 They were made in Etruria,
probably in Caere, by immigrants from East Greece. About half of them show mythical
scenes, but not the Argonauts. A frequent fi gure on them is Herakles.^17 His adventure
with the hell dog, Kerberos – a typical theme for a grave – was represented by the
two main artists of Caeretan hydriae, the Eagle Painter and the Busiris Painter.^18 To
the fi rst one is ascribed a hydria in the Getty Museum (Fig. 24.4).^19 It shows Herakles
Figure 24.3 Greek krater found in Caere with signature of Aristonothos. Blinding of Polyphemus.
Rome, Musei Capitolini.Figure 24.4 “Caeretan” hydria, circa 525 bce, ascribed to the Eagle Painter, an East Greek artist who
perhaps worked in Caere. Herakles and Iolaos fi ght against the Lernaean Hydra. Photo © The J. Paul
Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California (n. 19).