On both sides of the amphora, the Homeric narration of Doloneia Rhapsody (Iliad K 433 et seq.) is depicted in detail, according to which the Greeks, headed by Odysseus and Diomedes, dispatched the Thracian King Rhesus and his warriors who fought alongside the Trojans. On the main side, Diomedes is about to kill King Rhesus, fixing a sword to his neck. Rhesus lies on the ground with his eyes open. He is awake in contrast to his comrades who lie on his side and are probably still asleep or already dead.

On the other side, Odysseus is beheading a Thracian warrior. The closed eyes and blood that flows out his neck indicate that he is already dead.

Under the amphora’s handles Rhesus’ famous horses are depicted. They react by galloping strongly while realizing their owners’ fate.

The scene is completed with the richly illustrated landscape (e.g. trees) and the Thracian warriors’ weapons (e.g. Corinthian helmets, shields, swords). The principal figures are all identified by inscriptions; ΔΙΟΜΕΔΕΣ (Diomedes), FPΕΣΟΣ (Rhesos) and ΟΔΥΣΕΥΣ (Odysseus).