Fragmentary Red-Figure Kylix (Drinking Cup): Warrior Sacrificing Ram

c. 490–480 BC

Fragmentary Red-Figure Kylix (Drinking Cup): Warrior Sacrificing Ram, c. 490–480 BC. Greek, Attic. Ceramic; diameter: 10.1 cm (4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Dudley P. Allen Fund 1926.242 Scenes of sacrifice are rare in Greek art before the late 4th century BC. The warrior may be sacrificing the ram as a magical act before battle to save his own and his company's lives. A faded inscription, partly lost, does not identify the warrior; rather, it praises Chairias, probably an Athenian youth. Enough remains of the exterior of the cup to show that it was undecorated. The artist has used added red pigment for the blood of the ram.