Hydria (Stealing the Delphic Tripod from Apollo)

This vessel, used for carrying water, depicts the fight between Apollo and Heracles for the tripod of Delphi. This story, which had already appeared in the 8th century BC, would become frequent in paintings on Greek vessels, reaching the height of its popularity in the 6th century BC. It was also part of architectural decorations such as the east pediment of the Siphnian Treasury in Delphi. According to literary sources, Heracles came to the temple at Delphi to be cleansed after killing Iphitos, but the Pythia would not prophesy for him. Enraged, he steals the Delphic tripod to establish a new oracle. Apollo pursues the hero and only the intervention of Zeus, who creates a bolt of lightning to separate them, or of Athena, Artemis or Leto – according to other versions – could stop the argument. Heracles returns the sacred tripod to Apollo, reconciling himself with the god. He receives an oracle condemning him to be a slave to Iphitos’ father Eurytus for three years, to atone for his crime.