The Struggle for the Tripod by Dikaios Painter
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Hercules and Apollo fighting for the tripod
Attic red figure belly amphora from Vulci, H. 0.812 m. Attributed to the
Dikaios Painter, 500 BCE. British Museum E 255, London.
- Contest of Hercules and Apollo for the tripod. The hero, who has seized the tripod with his left hand, is about to deal Apollo a blow with the club in his right. The God, who also grasps the tripod with his left hand, passes his right hand round to take an arrow from the quiver which hangs at his left side.
- Hercules is bearded and wears a diadem but no clothing. Between his legs is the inscription DECHIOI ("receive the blow" or better "take that!").
- Apollo has long hair looped up with a diadem and falling in ringlets on his cheek. He is also nude. Between his legs is the inscription A[POL]LON ("Apollo").
- Behind him Artemis is advancing to his assistance. She wears an embroidered cap, a chiton looped up at the sleeves and belted to keep the right thigh bare, and then over this a peplos or chlamys. She stretches forward her left arm as if to shoot, and with her right hand draws an arrow from her quiver. In front of her is the inscription ARTEMIS ("Artemis").
- Behind Hercules stands Athena, holding a spear in her right hand, and a helmet decorated with a meander pattern in her left. Her hair is looped up in a diadem, and she wears the snake aegis, chiton with looped up sleeves, and a peplos over it. In front of her is the inscription ATHENA[I]A ("Athenaia") and PALON ("shake it!"), addressed to Hercules as he is wrestling for the tripod.
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