Warrior’s farewell

DESCRIPTION:

This vase depicts a warrior’s farewell to his father and his mother of wife. The young soldier is standing in the middle. On one side, his father hands him the spear and shield, while the female figure on the other side holds in her hand two vessels, a flask and a wine bottle, to make a libation, an offering and a wish to the gods to ensure protection and the warrior’s return home unharmed.

The scene of the warrior bidding farewell before leaving for battle was a favorite subject in Athens in the 5th century BC.