CIRCA 520-510 B.C.

On the body of this hydria is a Dionysiac thiasos, centered by a nude satyr playing a kithara, flanked by two pair of dancing maenads. Two of the maenads wear panther skins, with the animal heads positioned at their shoulders. On the shoulder panel, Dionysos sits holding a rhyton out before him, between two gesticulating maenads, with a running satyr to their right. Despite their bestial nature, satyrs frequently are shown playing music, either with a kithara, barbiton or aulos. See for example a trio of satyrs each playing a kithara on a black-figured amphora in Berlin, no. 92 in E. Simon, “Silenoi,” LIMC, vol. VIII.