“Aristonothos Krater”- I - Odysseus vs Poliphemus

            As a product of Etruscan and Greek interaction, the so-called “Aristonothos Krater” is unique. Dating from the first half of the seventh century, it features the first Greek artist's signature known, and the earliest representation of a scene featured in Homeric epic.  Krater side A depicts the mythical scene of the blinding of the Cyclops Polyphemus, by Odysseus and his companions, in addition, it contains the signature of the potter, Aristonothos. Side B contains an image of a sea battle between an oared ship, on the left, and a sailing ship on the right.
Aristonothos has inscribed his name not just on, but into the mythical scene of blinding. In fact, he signs his name in the narrative center of the scene, just on the tip of the incandescent pole used to blind the already drunk cyclops. According to the story, Polyphemus has asked Odysseus his name, and Odysseus has replied that he is called “Outis”: “No-one”, or “No-name”. 
The inscription, “Aristonothos epoisen” is an extraordinary one. “Epoisen” is the usual form for indicating the maker of a pot, but the name Aristonothos is peculiar. The prefix Aristo (“best” or “noble”) is a very common one in Greek personal names. However, in all these instances save one, the word which follows to make up the compound name carries positive connotations. Names such as Aristo-demos (best tribe) and Aristo-kleia (best repute) make up 266 of the names we know; Aristonothos is the only Aristoname to contain a word like “nothos”, “bastard”. The name is therefore not only exceptional in terms of its frequency, but also in its composition. 
The vessel was found in one of the Etruscan cemeteries at Cerveteri towards the end of the nineteenth century. The vase is 36 cm high, and 40 cm in diameter at its widest point, just beneath the handles. The decoration on the pot is made up of both figured and abstract ornamentation, painted in a very fine red-brown slip. 

Source: Vedia Izzet: “Aristonothos Inscription and  Krater”

Outline bell krater
Attributed to Aristonothos
H. 36 cm; W. 40 cm.
650 BC
from Cerveteri
Capitoline Museums (Palazzo dei Conservatori), Rome, Inv 172 


   

Taken on: November 5, 2018

Tags:

Musei Capitolini

Roma

Polifemo

Odysseus

Odisseo

Homer

Omero

Odyssey

Odissea

“Bell

krater”

Krater

Aristonothos

“Aristonothos

crater

“cratere

campana”

cratere

Aristonothos”

“ceramica

greca”

“greek

pottery”

Cerveteri

Rome

Musei

Capitolini

“Palazzo

dei

Conservatori” « less

Sets appears in: • Greek Mythology • Homer - Omero more » • Odysseus - The Great and Powerful • Apulien and Italic Ceramists • Krateres • Roma, Musei Capitolini « less

Groups appears in: • Greek Mythology • The Ancient World more » • ANCIENT GREECE ! GRECE ANTIQUE ! • * Ancient ceramic * • World Archaeology & Arts/ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΑ&ΤΕΧΝΕΣ-Rea • Ancient Greek and Roman Art • Musei Capitolini / Capitoline Museums • Heritage Key • Homer illustrated • Photos at the Museum • ANCIENT WORLD « less

Camera: Nikon D800, f/10.0, 1/200 sec, 70mm, ISO 6400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D800
Lens:	24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8
Aperture:	f/10.0
Exposure Time:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Focal Length:	70mm
ISO:	6400
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	High gain up
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop 21.2 (Macintosh)
Show full info

Stats: 4,086 views / 1 comment

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: