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A fragment of a relief pithos from Zarakes in Karystia

Μελέτες-Articles

• Χατζηδημητρίου, Αθηνά

This article examines a fragment of an inscribed relief pithos from Zarakes inKarystia (Eretria Museum n. 18687). The fragment was found near the foundation holes of a peristyle of a LG building. The upper band of the fragment preserves the lower part of four Centaurs with human foreparts. They are depicted moving to the right, holding trunks of trees. Under the belly of each Centaur a reversed hare is represented. The two next bands of the fragment are decorated with a zig-zag motif and the incised votive inscription respectively. For the execution of the decoration a cylinder seal has been used.Of similar style are the Centaurs on some early Rhodian pithoi and on several fragments of large vases from the Argive Fieraion. The latter are dated in the middle of the seventh century. The pithos from Zarakes can probably be dated in the same era with the above or a little later.According to the Scholia on Lycophron Cheiron, Karystos, and Zarex are related. As a consequence, it is highly probable that the artist of the pithos from Zarakes had meant to depict Cheiron, the well-known Centaur, in the above mentioned relief scene. The representation of Cheiron in Attic vase-painting as a hunter carrying hares as game confirms the above opinion.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)
• Κλασσικές αρχαιότητες

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