The crater of the Amazons

The crater of the Amazons appeared in a 5th century BC tomb from the Poble Nou cemetery in Vilajoiosa. A crater is a big cup to mix wine with water, a custom of the Greeks and Romans. It is one of the best pieces in Vilamuseu because it is very unusual.

The piece corresponds to the ceramic style of "red figures" and from the shape of the handles, we know that is a "columnar" crater. It is a type of crater of which very few are known in the Iberian Peninsula. 

In the main scene we can see three amazons armed with bows and spears, who talk in a relaxed way. This representation is unusual, since normally the Amazons are represented fighting with Greek heroes such as Theseus or Achilles.

The Greeks believed that the Amazons were a free nation of female warriors who lived without men in the Black sea. They only had sex with men from a neighboring tribe once a year and only raised girls born from this union. The Greeks probably made up the legend after meeting the Sarmatian women, as we know that many of them were warriors. The Sarmatians were neighbors of the Scythians and they were dressed like them and spoke a very similar language. That is why these Amazons wear typical Scythian costumes, made with fur and long pants.

Poble Nou Necropolis
Height: 338 mm; diam. boca: 272 mm; diam. base: 132 mm
Nº inv. Vilamuseu 003856