Greek Vases: Attic Red Figure


	ATTIC RED-FIGURE COLUMN KRATER BY THE BOREAS PAINTER Theseus abducting Helen, the hero lunging forward, a spear in his raised right hand and a cloak fastened on his shoulder. She flees toward Perithoös standing right. Rev: winged Nike with two males. For the abduction of Helen on Attic vases see: Kahil ‘Helen’, Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologicae Classicae, nos. 48-52. Ex. Japanese collection, acq. 1970s-80s. Ca. 470-460 BC H. 18 1/2 min. (47 cm.) Art of the Ancient World, 2004, no. 103 CNV24 $57,500 Sales

Helen was the daughter of Leda, queen of Sparta, and Zeus. She was sister to Polydeuces (Pollux) and half-sister to Castor and Clytemnestra. When Helen was still very young, Theseus, king of Athens, and Pirithous, king of Larissa, kidnapped her. Theseus, however, soon left Helen in the care of his mother, Aethra, while he went with Pirithous to capture Persephone. While Theseus was gone, Helen's brother and half-brother, Polydeuces and Castor, rescued her, keeping Aethra and Pirithous' sister as slaves for Helen. Once Helen was returned to Sparta, she attracted an impressive array of suitors - including Odysseus, son of Laertes, Diomedes, son of Tydeus, Protesilaus, son of Iphiclus, Patroclus, son of Menoetius, and Ajax, son of Telamon. Odysseus made the suitors swear to an oath, stating that each suitor must defend the honor of whomever was chosen as Helen's future husband. Tyndareus soon chose Menelaus, son of Pleisthenes and brother of Agamemnon king of Mycenae. Paris, the young Trojan prince, was the judge for the beauty contest between Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena. He chose Aphrodite and as a prize he was promised Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris sailed to Sparta, where Menelaus treated him as a royal guest. Immediately after Menelaus left to Crete for Catreus' funeral, however, Paris sailed off for Troy with Helen and Menelaus treasury.


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