Apulian Amphora, Trozzella

In Apulia in Southern Italy the myths spread out in the cultural borderland between indigenous inhabitants and Greeks. This clay vessel with unique decoration presents a picture of the single combat between the Greek Diomedes and the Trojan Aeneas during the Trojan War. Each of the heroes is flanked by his patron goddess, Pallas Athena and Aphrodite, respectively. The vessel is called a trozzella and it is remarkable that a Greek myth features on this particular type of container. The trozzella was, in fact, only used by the original population as a grave gift. Perhaps, with its clear references to Greek heroes and valiant deeds, it had a special appeal to its owner.