Detail of a Terracotta Hydria Attributed to the Troilos Painter in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2017

Terracotta hydria (water jar)

Attributed to the Troilos Painter

Period:Archaic

Date:ca. 490 B.C.

Culture:Greek, Attic

Medium:Terracotta; red-figure

Dimensions:H. 14 1/16 in. (35.7 cm); diameter mouth 6 in. (15.3 cm); diameter foot 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)

Classification:Vases

Credit Line:Fletcher Fund, 1956

Accession Number:56.171.53

Triptolemos in his winged chariot bringing wheat to mankind

Athens controlled the sanctuary of Demeter at Eleusis and claimed that the goddess had given wheat and the secrets of agriculture to Triptolemos, a local prince. Numerous Attic vases show the youth in a winged chariot setting off to spread knowledge of the cultivation of wheat.

Text from: metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254912