The Story and Art of Dionysus
Essay - Was the pot below painted for the Homeric Hymn to Dionysus, or for the myth in general?
by Stephen Marsh

By looking closely at the fine details of several pictures of this pot, I have made the determination that it was not inspired by the Homeric Hymn to Dionysus. I believe instead, that the pot was painted to depict the myth in general. This pot clearly shows the story of Dionysus’ capture by the pirates. Looking at picture 1990.34.0162 Dionysus is clearly depicted on the boat with his ivy wreath, and drinking horn. Looking at 1990.34.0160 the grape vines and dolphins also make clear which story is being presented. However, these similarities show only the most basic elements of the story; they do not signify that this painting is of the Homeric Hymn specifically. Details that are particular to the Hymn are not present. Dionysus is not in the form of a lion, nor is there a bear present on the ship. There is a grape vine, but the Hymn also talks about Ivy with berries and flowers, both of which are not depicted.  Furthur, Homer's version of the story tells us that only the helmsman stayed aboard the ship, and was thus rewarded.  On this pot, the helsman is not present, leaving only Dionysus aboard.  The presence of only the most basic elements of the story, and the lack of specifics leads me to believe that the painter did not have the Homeric Hymn in mind when painting this pot, he instead was painting the myth in general.

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