Achilles Slays Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons - Plate - Ancient Greek Mythology

A handmade plate depicting the epic battle between Achilles and Penthesilea. The design of this plate is inspired by an ancient Greek vase currently on display at the British Museum. The original artifact, a masterpiece of classical pottery, was crafted by the renowned Greek potter Exekias around 530 BCE. This vase is celebrated for its intricate artwork, which vividly illustrates a scene from the legendary Trojan War, a cornerstone of Greek mythology. Exekias, a master of the black-figure technique, depicted one of the most poignant moments in the epic narrative—the encounter between the Greek hero Achilles and Penthesilea, the queen of the Amazons. The vase’s imagery captures a dramatic and emotionally charged moment on the battlefield. In this scene, the wide-eyed Achilles is shown thrusting his spear into Penthesilea’s neck. This act of violence is juxtaposed with a moment of tragic tenderness, as it is said that Achilles falls in love with Penthesilea at the very instant he kills