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CHAROS, CHARUN, CHARON
Author(s) -
HOFFMANN H.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
oxford journal of archaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1468-0092
pISSN - 0262-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-0092.1984.tb00122.x
Subject(s) - demon , folklore , poetry , literature , art , history , ancient history , classics , archaeology
Summary. An Athenian head‐vase by the potter Sotades, depicting a grim and emaciated old man, is interpreted as representing the demon Charos, a threatening death‐figure familiar from medieval and modern Greek poetry as well as traditional folklore but hitherto undocumented in Greek art. Charun is shown to be the Etruscan derivate of Charos, whose rarity can perhaps be explained by the success of the less frightening (because euphemistic) Charon.