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The motif of the hunt was well-established in Minoan and Mycenaean art by
the 2nd millennium BC It was a prominent aspect of Greek literature and art
from the time of Homer in the 8th century BC Some of the best-known depictions
of Greek myths in vase-painting and sculpture deal with such legendary figures
as Odysseus, Heracles and Meleager engaged in the hunt. The goddess Artemis,
armed with bow and arrow, is often shown either accompanied by or pursuing
wild animals. This preoccupation with hunting at the mythic level mirrors
the eager pursuit of rural pleasures by all classes of Greek male society.
The wealthy had the leisure time to hunt wild game with hounds, nets and
traps, or, especially during the 6th century when large tracts of uncultivated
country were still available, to pursue 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.
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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 (83k) |
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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 (116k) |
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Campanian Red Figure Bell Krater |
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