#achillesshield

Figure 2: Boston Amphore: Achilles Arming

Description: On an amphora of the years 570-560 [8] (Figure 2), three Nereids follow Thetis and present a complete armor to the young Achilles. The mother transmits the shield, whose episema, a face of Gorgone, is turned towards the viewer. Above the shield are written on two lines the names of Achilles, from left to right, and from Thetis, from right to left. The crossing of names underlines the dynamics of the gift, from Thetis to Achilles. Behind the other parts of the armament: a cuirass, cemetery, and a helmet-all the elements which protect the body, which in some measure redouble the anatomy of the warrior: thorax , cnemids , cranium, and form a second skin, Of metal. It is thus seen to meet the image body gymnos , bare Achilles standing and metallic elements of his armor, his new skin, deployed horizontally. The meeting consists of associating bodies and weapons to produce the hero warrior, in arms.

(Figure 1) Hydria of the Louvre: weapons. B&W image from LANGUAGES AND METAPHORS OF THE BODY IN THE ANCIENT WORLD  | Jérôme Wilgaux,  Véronique Dasen http://books.openedition.org/pur/5414

Description from Chapter:  Body and arms: Greek figures of the warriorFrançois Lissarrague P. 15-27

On a hydria of the Louvre [3] (figure 1) is a pile of weapons assembled: a shield placed flat on the ground, surmounted by a helmet with double crest, whose left cheekpiece is adorned with a lion and frontal Of a fringe of hair. Next to it stands a cuirass and a sword. Note the scales which cover the shield as well as the helmet and the breastplate, forming a quasi-animal, impenetrable surface. In his precious catalog of the antique vases of the Louvre, E. Pottier comments on this image: "The war trophy is a curious study of" still life ", as we would say, very rare in Greek painting which attaches more to the characters Living as well as objects. This is also a simple excerpt from a complete scene as the dispute of the arms of Achilles [4]. "

Footnotes:

[3] Paris, Louvre G 179, not attributed. Pottier E., Antique Vases of the Louvre, Third Series , Paris, Hachette, 1922, p. 195 and pl. 126.