The main topic of this scene is the “Initiation of Heracles and the Dioscuri into the Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries at Agrae”. In the center stands Persephone, while Demeter is seated at her feet looking back at her. To the left, Triptolemos seats in his winged carriage drawn by two white serpents. Above him, Eumolpos, beardless with long curls, leads one of the Dioscuri to the initiation, acting as «mystagogue» (=the person who initiates). Eumolpos wears a chiton and closed boots (endromides), fillet and laurel-wreath in his head. In front of him there is a star of nine points, which is the symbol of Dioscuri. On the left Iachos is followed by Heracles who holds his club. On a higher level, another Dioscuros is depicted. All the figures hold torches. Behind the figures, over an uneven line indicating a hill Doric columns and a white architrave are depicted, possibly representing the temple of Demeter at Agrae.
Caption Attic bell crater depicting the initiation of Hercules and the Dioscuri in the Lesser Eleusinian, with Eumolpus leading one of the Dioscuri to initiation
Mythic people Herakles (Hero), Dioscuri (Hero) ,Eumolpus (King)
Type Clay object
Artist/Creator The Pourtalès Painter, Attic workshop
Origin Sant' Agata dei Goti, Campania,Italy
Current position The British Museum, London
Index number F 68
Dating 380-360 BC
Notes
Related
Myths