Men's Life

Hunting

Campanian Red Figure Bell Krater Late 5th century B.C.

Hunting was well-established in Minoan and Mycenaean art by the 2nd millennium BC It was an important part of Greek literature and art from the time of Homer in the 8th century BC. Greek myths and such legendary figures as Odysseus and Heracles are shown in painted vases engaged in the hunt. The goddess Artemis, armed with bow and arrow, is often shown chasing wild animals. All classes of Greek males enjoyed hunting.

The wealthy had the leisure time to hunt wild game with hounds, nets and traps, or to chase on horseback deer and wild boar. While Xenophon describes hunting lions, leopards, lynxes and bears in the mountainous regions of northern Greece and southeastern Turkey, it is unlikely that the Greek countryside supported much in the way of large game.

Attic Geometric Kantharos 8th century b.c.

Attic Geometric Kantharos
8th century BC
MS 5290
A hare pursued by two hounds.
H. 14.4; L. 19.2; Dia. 15.3 cm. UM neg. 52126 (larger version)

Attic Red Figure Askos
ca. 450&endash;400 BC
On loan, Philadelphia Museum of Art
L-64-191
A naked youth, armed with a club or sling, is pursued by a boar. Xenophon is full of advice on how to attack wild boar and makes it clear that running away is perhaps the worst mistake a hunter can make.
H. 6.5; L. 9.7; Dia. 9.0 cm. UM neg. 120578 (larger version)

Attic Red Figure Askos ca. 450-400 b.c.

Campanian Red Figure Bell Krater
Late 5th century BC
By the Cassandra Painter or his circle
MS 5687 detail
A somewhat unorthodox hunting scene, perhaps depicting a legendary event in which a young man slays a boar with his ax.
Photo courtesy Mediterranean Section, Univ. of Pennsylvania Museum (larger version)

The Ancient Greek World Index