God of wine, intoxicated ecstasy, and theater: Dionysos was, for good reason, the most popular of all Greek gods. He gave the ancients the gift of…
Homer and the Epics
Wine, Poets, and Performers in Ancient Greece
Homer, Roman, Late Republican or Imperial Period, late 1st century BC or 1st century AD. Marble (probably from Mt. Pentelikon near Athens). Henry Lillie Pierce Fund.
Altamura Painter, Mixing bowl (calyx krater) with scenes from the fall of Troy, about 470–460 BC. Ceramic, Red Figure. William Francis Warden Fund.
Andokides Painter, Lysippides Painter, Two-handled jar (amphora) with Achilles and Ajax, Greek, Archaic Period, about 525–520 BC. Ceramic, Black Figure and Red Figure (Bilingual). Henry Lillie Pierce Fund.
Head of Polyphemos, Greek or Roman, about 150 BC or later. Marble, dolomitic from the Greek island of Thasos. Museum purchase with funds donated in honor of Edward W. Forbes.
Painter Makron, Potter Hieron, Drinking cup (skyphos) with the departure and recovery of Helen, Greek, Late Archaic Period, about 490–480 BC. Ceramic, red figure. Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912.
Homer, Roman, Late Republican or Imperial Period, late 1st century BC or 1st century AD. Marble (probably from Mt. Pentelikon near Athens). Henry Lillie Pierce Fund.
Altamura Painter, Mixing bowl (calyx krater) with scenes from the fall of Troy, about 470–460 BC. Ceramic, Red Figure. William Francis Warden Fund.
Andokides Painter, Lysippides Painter, Two-handled jar (amphora) with Achilles and Ajax, Greek, Archaic Period, about 525–520 BC. Ceramic, Black Figure and Red Figure (Bilingual). Henry Lillie Pierce Fund.
Head of Polyphemos, Greek or Roman, about 150 BC or later. Marble, dolomitic from the Greek island of Thasos. Museum purchase with funds donated in honor of Edward W. Forbes.
Painter Makron, Potter Hieron, Drinking cup (skyphos) with the departure and recovery of Helen, Greek, Late Archaic Period, about 490–480 BC. Ceramic, red figure. Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912.
Is there any name that more instantaneously conjures the classical tradition in the modern imagination than Homer? Today, the itinerant blind bard’s stories and their enduring appeal are ubiquitous, appearing everywhere from high school curricula to Hollywood films. From the 8th century BCE on, ancient artists sought to render Homer’s poems about the trials and tribulations of a golden age of heroes—passed on orally for generations before they were written down—in visual terms. They created objects in media ranging from monumental religious sculpture to smaller personal items such as seals and gemstones. This gallery showcases the MFA’s world-renowned collection of artwork illustrating scenes, many of them unique, from the Trojan Cycle.
- Krupp Gallery (Gallery 215A)
MFA Mobile Audio Tour
Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey inspired ancient Greek artists to create vibrant works of visual art. We invite you to hear actors read selections from Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation of the poems and experience how they informed the MFA’s rich collection of ancient art. Access the tour from home or bring your earbuds or headphones for the full in-gallery experience.
