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255.

This is a Red-Figure Bell Krater (wine mixing bowl) from Athens, Greece, 440 B.C. at the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. Christie painter.

Dionysus in the center with Thyrus (pole twined with ivy and grapevines topped with a pine cone) and a Kantharos (wine cup) turns to face a Menead who follows a satyr playing double flutes that leads the procession. Menead carries an Oinochoe (wine jug) and a lighted torch indicating a night journey.

I call this photo, taken in April 2014:

"Walters Krater."

Walters Krater


256.

This is a Hydria (water jug) Greek (Corinth) , Walters Gallery, Baltimore. Late Corinthian. 575-550 B.C. Glazed Ceramic.

It depicts a scene from the Trojan war, as described in the "Aethiopis" a classical text that has not survived. Achilles and Memnon, heroes of equal rank, clash in the presence of their mothers, the goddesses Thetis and Eos. Each with chariots standing by. Achilles prevails and kills Memnon.

The Aethiopis was the main Greek text recording the death of Achilles. It is almost certainly the source of the Greek tradition that Memnon was an Ethiopian. The "Colossi of Memnon" in Egypt refer to Amenhoptep III of the 18th dynasty - the father of Akhenaten. It seems that Amenhotep III was providing material support to the Trojans in their contest with the Greeks.

This reinforces my intuition that the 18th dynasty was black African. Exodus, which was an 18th dynasty event, has a strong black African flavor which has been lost to the history books.

Another intuition is what is now called "Arabia" was originally an extended part of black Africa. One of the 4th century AD Ethiopian King Ezana's titles was King of Himyar, which is now part of Yemen.

I call this photo, also taken in April 2014:

"Aethiopis Hydria."

Aethiopis Hydria


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© 2014 by Waweru Njenga. All rights reserved.

First posted: 4/16/2014

 

 

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