Ancient Mediterranean

Digital Project

Galley bow

Cat. No.

A154

Date

Late Geometric II (c. 740 B.C.)

Findspot

Argive Heraeum

Dimensions

Medium

Sherd from a krater

Accession Number

Athens National Museum 25428

References

Basch 1978: 188, no. 398; Morrison and Williams 1968: 34, Geom. 34; Tzahou-Alexandri 1990: 340, fig. 25

Bow of a ship to the right with a vertical stempost that lacks the distinctive horn of Attic geometric ships, but instead curves steeply backwards, in a near parallel position to the hull. Bulky short bow projection and a single plank protrusion with a forked extremity midway up the stempost. Above the thick band representing the hull is a thin parallel line, with a reserved space between them. Sitting at the level of the upper line is a figure facing left. An archer wearing a helmet with his bow drawn and a sword at his waist faces to the left, towards the ship.

Basch, L. 1978. “Le Navire mns et autre notes de voyage en Egypte,” MM 64: 99-123.

Morrison, J.S. and R.T. Williams. 1968. Greek Oared Ships: 900-322 B.C. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Tzahou-Alexandri, O. 1990. “Contribution to the knowledge of 8th century B.C. Ship Representations,” in H.E. Tzalas (ed.) Tropis II: 2nd International Symposium on Ship Construction in Antiquity. Delphi 1987 (Hellenic Institute for the Preservation of Nautical Tradition). Athens: Hellenic Institute for the Preservation of Nautical Tradition, pp. 333-61.

  • copyright icon © drawing by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • copyright icon © Athens National Museum. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • copyright icon © Athens National Museum. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen