Place of discovery: Vulci, Lazio.
circa 540-530 BC.
Ceramic, type A amphora
height cm 61.1; diameter mouth cm 27.8
This famous amphora, signed by Ezekias both as potter and painter, bears the illustration of an episode foreign to the tradition of the poems of Homer: Achilles and Ajax in armor intent on playing with dice or the game of morra, according to an old interpretation. The amphora is one of the most refined products of the black-figure style, with details and decorations of the clothes engraved with calligraphic care. With the typical solemnity of his style, the painter snatches the moment when the two heroes, having temporarily laid down their arms during the long siege of Troy, devote themselves to play. Achilles and Ajax, indicated by the inscriptions, seated on low supports, lean towards a pedestal, stretching out their right arms, to read the points gained in the game, respectively four and three, as specified by the inscriptions that seem to emerge cartoon-like from their mouths.
A Video showing the original Attic Amphora of Ezekias at Museo Gregoriano Etrusco, Sala XIX
On the second panel are the Dioskouroi (Sons of Zeus), Castor with his horse Kyllaros, Pollux and their parents Tyndareus and Leda.
We copy this vase at heights of 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm and natural height of 61.1 cm.
In Athens Greece.
