Altar of Athena at Troy

Altar of Athena at Troy
This Corinthian black-figured column krater, c. 560 BCE, is known as the Astarita krater (it is a gift from Mario Astarita.) Height 47 cm. Museo Gregoriano, Vatican.

  • Seated on the stepped altar in the sanctuary of Athena at Troy are Menelaos, Ulysses and the herald Talthybios.
  • They are approached by Theano, her two maids Dia and Malo, and her nurse.
  • Behind them follow fifteen mounted horsemen and two youth on foot.
  • The names that are given are Harmatides, Glaukos and Eurymachos (the sons of Antenor and Theano), Ilioneus, Politas and Polyphas.
  • The Greeks had come to Troy to ask for a peaceful surrender of Helen.
  • They are depicted inside the city, having just arrived.
  • They are met by Theano, the priestess of Athena and the wife of Antenor, the most important Trojan, next to King Priam.
  • The embassy to Troy was not successful and the Trojan War broke.

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