Attic Black Figure Olpe
ca. 540-520 BC
Dot&endash;Ivy Class
Italy, with an Etruscan inscription on underside of foot
MS 4800
Three soldiers are shown fighting, while spectators stand to either side.
Since the soldiers wear helmets and greaves and carry shields but are otherwise
unarmed, they may be performing a ritual dance. However, artistic imprecision
may provide a simpler and more likely explanation for the discrepancy.
H. 21.7; Dia. 13.0 cm. UM neg. 41132