Ancient Greek Art: Heracles & the Sea Monster

Heracles fighting the Sea-Monster of Troy | Greek vase, Caeretan black figure hydria

"A sound of thunder shakes the maw circled with a triple row of fangs, as its tail reaches backward over the sea it has covered, and the proud neck sweeps the streaming coils onward." - Valerius Flaccus 2.450

P28.1 HERAKLES & THE KETOS

Museum Collection: Stavros S Niarchos Collection, Athens, Greece
Museum Catalogue Number: TBA
Beazley Archive Number: N/A
Ware: Caeretan Black Figure
Shape: Hydria
Painter: --
Date: ca 530 - 520 BC
Period: Archaic

SUMMARY

Herakles battles the sea monster (ketos) of Troy with a fish-hook. The monster is shown as a shark-like beast with a spiny back and undulating tail. Various other sea creatures surround it: a seal, two dolphins and an octopus.

ARTICLESKetos Troias