Douris,Red-Figure Cup Showing the Death of Pentheus and a Maenad, c. 480 B.C., Late Archaic Period, terracotta.  Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas

Whenever lecturing about Greek pottery, I only include examples with captivating, racy, or titillating narratives, otherwise students become entirely bored.  Forcing them to memorize a long list of black on red, red on black, white on white, etc. sounds more like a rundown of titles featured in a pornography convention than an art history course!

Today’s vase comes from the Kimbell Art Museum and depicts the mythical Theban king, Pentheus, being torn to shreds by a group of frenzied Theban women.  Pentheus pissed off Dionysus by denying his divinity and forbidding his worship.  Being the badass that he is, Dionysus caused the women of Thebes to become worked up into an ecstatic state and, thinking Pentheus a wild beast, they tore him limb from limb.

Take a look at both sides of the cup to get the full picture.

Douris,Red-Figure Cup Showing the Death of Pentheus and a Maenad, c. 480 B.C., Late Archaic Period, terracotta.  Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas

On one side, we see Pentheus being dismembered and on the other, Dionysus sits proud upon his throne holding a kantharos (wine cup).  Notice that the women around him are holding bits of Pentheus’ body.  Morbid!  And of course, both sides show naked satyrs doing satyrly things, from dancing to playing music.

So there you have it, a red on black vase that you’ll never forget!