Cleveland Museum of Art

Siana Cup (Black-Figure Kylix [Drinking Cup]): Horseman and Warriors

Date

575–550 BCE

Medium

ceramic

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Two kneeling warriors do battle in the tondo of this large drinking cup, red blood streaming from their wounded legs. Without labels or attributes, their identities remain uncertain—perhaps Eteokles and Polyneikes, the cursed sons of Oedipus. The exterior figures are anonymous, although many are accompanied by small dots probably meant to imitate letters (for identifying inscriptions). On one side, a warrior is greeted by a nude youth holding a garland, with a horseman, a flying eagle, and several men observing. On the other, a bearded man rides a rearing horse, flanked by six draped men. Waterbirds stand beneath the handles. Siana cups take their name from a cemetery in Rhodes where many were first found.

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