CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.

Details

AN ETRUSCAN TERRACOTTA CINERARY URN
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.
The front of the rectangular urn molded with the fratricide of Eteocles and Polyneices, both heroes fully armed, one lunging forward to the right, the other down on his bent right knee, his shield held high, a draped winged goddess, presumably Vanth, standing on either side, the scene framed by fluted pilasters on the corners and a border of tongues above, the lid with the deceased reclining to the right, her head resting on two pillows; preserving traces of polychromy, including red and green
17¾ in. (45 cm.) wide

Provenance

Oscar Blum Gentilomo, 1903-1975.

Lot Essay

Eteocles and Polyneices were the sons of Oedipus, King of Thebes, and Jocasta. Following the exile of their father, it was agreed that they would share the kingdom by reigning in alternate years. When Eteocles finished his year he refused to relinquish the throne to his brother. Polyneices fled to Argos, whose king agreed to assist him in reclaiming the Theban throne ("The Seven Against Thebes"). During the ensuing battle, the brothers slew each other.

The scene was popular on Etruscan cinerary urns during the Hellenistic Period, and was perhaps based on the tragedy by Euripides. For another terracotta urn molded with the same scene see no. IV-34 in Bonfante, ed., Etruscan Life and Afterlife.

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