Stamnos Odysseus and the Sirens

The famous red figure stamnos depicting scene from Homer’s Odyssey, where the ship of Odysseus is passing the Sirens. When the ship was nearing the Sirens, Odysseus wanted to be able to listen to their song but not get enchanted by it. So he asked his men to tie him on the mast whilst they were to be wearing wax earplugs. It is noted that the oars are more that the rowers, implying that some have already been enchanted. The Sirens are represented as birds with woman’s heads. Their hair is looped up with a stephane and their lips are parted as though singing. The sea is represented by a wavy outline. It is said that the Sirens were in such despair having failed to enchant Odysseus that they threw themselves to the sea to drown.

The other side of the stamnos depicts the three Erotes flying over the sea; Imeros, Erotas and Pothos. Imeros holds a long ribbon decorated with the Greek key and looks at the others holding a long tendril and a hare respectively. These were the gifts between lovers.

Copy from Original red figure Stamnos, 5th century BC - The British Museum