Herakles or Dionysos? Some thoughts on the iconography of the krater of the Athens National Archaeological Museum no. 14902

Abstract

This article reexamines an Attic red-figure calyx krater in Athens (Athens National Archaeological Museum 14902): a reclining figure in a four-column structure has been identified by previous scholarship as Herakles. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the uniqueness of this vase among its apparent parallels, by analyzing the skin and wreath the figure wears and its pose. Another figure that had escaped the attention of researchers is considered. The imagery of the vase is analyzed in the context of the end of the 5th century BC, and compared with the Dionysos figure on Parthenon’s pediment and with textual data. This leads to the conclusion that the reclining figure should be identified as Dionysos, posing as Herakles.