Hydria (water jar): Herakles as Musician

Unknown artist

c. 510 BCE

Terracotta

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

On the shoulder: three pairs of warriors in combat. Each of the figures wears armor and a helmet, and carries a shield and a spear. Added red and white are used for some details, like the greaves, helmet crests, shield bands and insignia, and clothing, although some of this added color has been lost. On the body: Heracles stands left of center, and faces towards the right, holding a kithara (lyre). He holds a plectrum attached to the body of the instrument by string in his right hand. He wears his characteristic lion skin, decorated with flecks to indicate its fur, over a short tunic (chiton), and he also carries a bow and quiver an