Original scientific paper
THE ASKOS WITH DIONYSIAN SCENE FROM HVAR
Marin Zaninović
Abstract
A vase in the form of an askos was found in a grave in Hvar et the end of las century. Today it belongs to a private collection in Paris. The Dionysian scene on the is the exact replica of the scene on the Borghese crater in Louvre and the crater found in a sunken ship near Mahdia in Tunisia.
An identical askos was found in Thermes in the Soviet republic Uzbekhistan on the Afganistan frontier in the former area of ancient Kushan-Bactrian state. The vases originate from Pergamese workshops and can be dated in the 1st century A. D. owing to the relief with eight sacrificial attributtes on the lower parts of vases, which are almost an identical replica of the sacrificial attribute frize on the architrave on the divine Vespasianus and Titus temple on the Roman Forum.
Both Hvar with its port, and Theremes are situated on the ancient traffic routes. Goods from Asia Minor were from ancient times also transported to the east of the Adriatic coast, and in Roman times noumerous Orientals came from those regions, together with their merchandise and objects of art such as this uniquese vase. The Dionysian tradition was always very alive on Hvar in antiquity, as this island has always been a wine growing centre. The Greek polis Pharos, today Stari Grad, lying in the central, wine growing district of the island, minted its own coins in the 4th century B. C. with Dionysius’ head on the obverse and his cantharos vase on the reverse face of the coins. Obviously, these were economical and ideological presumptions for the acceptance of such a vase on this island. Its discovery confirms the trading importance of antique Hvar and a high cultural level of people who possessed the vase and used it either for their private, or – with regard to its shape and decoration – for their cult purposes.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
159318
URI
Publication date:
23.12.1980.
Visits: 1.947 *