Cinerary Urn with Eteokles and Polyneikes

200–100 B.C.

Medium

Alabaster with polychromy

Dimensions

34 × 46 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-230698

Made in Volterra, this urn depicts the sons of Oedipus, Eteokles and Polyneikes, who fought for the throne of Thebes. Observing the battle is a winged infernal demon at left, Vanth, who holds a downturned torch and a book scroll, symbols that portend the brothers’ destiny in the Underworld. Before her, a companion bends forward to steady one of the dying brothers, who crouches on bent knee behind his shield. Both figures look toward the older bearded man at the center, who falls his knees in lament, dramatically extending his right hand. The knotty staff in his left hand identifies him as Oedipus, king of Thebes, dressed in a Phrygian cap and long-sleeved belted tunic and trousers. In the background above the two kneeling protagonists is a woman in a chiton and mantle (Jocasta or Antigone), waving her hands in distress. A fourth man attentively holds the king’s left elbow. Behind him, a second warrior is mortally wounded and collapses onto an inverted shield, with his head bowed and a sword held listlessly across his lap. At the right side, a man in a chlamys supports the dead fighter. The battle relief is framed above by a cornice of dentils, bands of beading, and leaves, and bel…