Greek and Roman epic scenes on the Portland vase

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The subject, or subects, of the scenes on the Portland Vase is an old problem which has teased art historians for long enough. There have been fairly long periods when the interpretation seemed to be generally agreed, or when scholars' ingenuity waned, and the last suggestion reigned unchallenged for some time. There have also been short periods when the vase evoked avid scholarly activity, as for instance 1957–68.For a recent debate one should consult the article by B. Ashmole, and the reply to it made by D. Haynes (JHS1967 and 1968). In both editions of his British Museum booklet,The Portland Vase(1964 and 1975) Haynes gives an amusing appendix, listing ‘other interpretations’, which from 1642 to 1967 amounted to twenty-three more or less different theories. If one adds to these the articles by Brown and Clairmont published subsequently inAJA(1968, 1970, 1972) and a recent paper by Evelyn Harrison in a GermanFestschrift(1976), then the vase has knocked up more than its quarter century of rival interpretations. It is no wonder that many modern general works state simply that the scenes have not been satisfactorily interpreted, but that one of the sides may represent a sea goddess.In summary it may be said that previous theories have taken one of two main paths. They haveeitherlinked the scene with a Greek legend,orhave sought in the vase a reference to contemporary Roman history, albeit a history dressed up in a Hellenic and classicising style.