Attic Red-Figure Kylix (Interior)

The interior of this Athenian red‑figure kylix or cup depicts a young man in a rocky landscape wearing an outfit intended for hunting or traveling. The youth's identity is uncertain; the hero Theseus is frequently shown in such garb, but the figure could just as easily be an ordinary youth. 

Theseus would certainly be an inspirational figure for the young men depicted on the cup's exterior. Both sides show the dokimasia, an inspection of the cavalry that took place annually at Athens. The young cavalrymen, who wear caps with long earflaps, present their horses. Owning a horse was a marker of great wealth, and Greek vases often depict the activities of the elite, such as hunting, riding, or attending the symposium.