Corinthian skyphos vase.

Corinthian black – figure skyphos .

Decoration theme: Centaur battle in Foloi oak forest.

The performance depicts the natural landscape in front of the entrance of a cave. A jar is buried in the ground up to the waist. Above the jar hangs the weapons of Hercules, his bow, quiver and sword. In front of the entrance to the cave is the centaur Folos, facing left. He wears a crown on his head and a long cloak. He holds a grape in his left hand, while with his right hand he makes a sudden movement, seeing Hercules forcibly expel eleven Centaurs from the cave. Hercules is depicted bearded and naked, firing flaming torches to the left at the fleeing Centaurs. The torches are piled on the lit altar in front of the cave. The centaurs are depicted with long beards and human bodies. They are armed with branches and tree roots. One of the centaurs has fallen to the ground. Some of the Centaurs have their heads turned to the right and are looking behind them as they flee with the others to escape. At the far left of the performance we see a woman along with a bearded man holding a scepter watching the paradoxical event.

It is a work from about 580 BC.

Louvre Museum.