Greek pottery: red figured pelike (side A) (-0500/-0450) by Oinanthe painterMusei di Fiesole
The main scene of the decoration depicts the killing of the Minotaur, son of Pasiphae and the Bull of Crete, by the Athenian hero Theseus.
Arianna witnesses the hero's victory
Greek pottery: red figured pelike (side B) (-0500/-0450) by Oinanthe painterMusei di Fiesole
In this scene we can see the libation of the king Minos to honor Theseus victory: in front of Minos the goddess Nike (Victory) and Zeus, Gods' king.
Greek pottery, red figured pelike: Minos (-0500/0450) by Oinanthe painterMusei di Fiesole
A detail of the figure interpreted as that of King Minos, he is seated on a comfortable chair with a wide backrest, perhaps a throne, in one hand he holds the scepter and in the other a cup.
Greek pottery, red figured pelike: lateral view (-0500/-0450) by UnknownMusei di Fiesole
On the other side, below the handle, a young man, perhaps a servant, bringing a stool
Greek pottery, red figured pelike: Zeus and Nike (-0500/-0450) by UnknownMusei di Fiesole
A detail of the libation scene with, on the left, the solemn figure of Zeus with the long scepter, like Minos he is depicted in the act of offering a patera for the libation
Greek pottery, red figured pelike: lateral view (-0500/-0450) by UnknownMusei di Fiesole
A figure of uncertain identification: a young man sitting on a chair holds a cane, perhaps a sceptre, and is looking behind towards the main scene.
Greek pottery, red figured pelike: the Goddess Athena (-0500/-0450) by Oinanthe painterMusei di Fiesole
The goddess Athena, leading in the main scene, is solemn figure, dressed in her armor, helps the hero with the serene awareness of logic and reasoning
Greek pottery, red figured pelike: Theseus and the Minotaur (-0500/0450) by Oinanthe painterMusei di Fiesole
The killing of the Minotaur, beast with the head of a great bull, symbolises, in mythological way, the freedom of Athens and of all Greece from the minoan domination
