The Sarpedon Krater: The Life and Afterlife of a Greek Vase

A Greek Attic red-figure krater, the Sarpedon Krater (c. 515–510 BCE), stands out for its innovative use of foreshortened perspective and its depiction of the Trojan hero Sarpedon's death, marking a significant advancement in ancient Greek vase painting. The krater, created by Euphronios, was discovered in an Etruscan tomb near Cerveteri, Italy, and later repatriated to the National Archaeological Museum of Cerveteri after being acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Spivey argues that this artwork's influence extends beyond its technical mastery, resonating through classical mythology, symposiastic culture, and later artistic traditions, including Roman sarcophagi and Renaissance devotional art. The study explores how such imagery may evoke empathy or catharsis, drawing on neuroscience theories about visual responses to suffering.

Olson, E. (2020). The Sarpedon Krater: The Life and Afterlife of a Greek Vase. Mediterranean Studies, 28(1), 130–133. https://doi.org/10.5325/mediterraneanstu.28.1.0130