Roman Empire, North Africa, ca. 2nd to 3rd centuries CE. A section of red slip-ware pottery, most likely from a dish, depicting Achilles learning to hunt. The artist presents the boy Achilles riding with a centaur in hot pursuit of a fierce, leopard-like feline. This son of the Nereid or sea nymph Thetis and the mortal Peleus, king of the Myrmidons would grow up to be the mightiest warrior of the army of Agamemnon in the Trojan War. Perhaps the most legendary tale of his childhood tells of Thetis dipping Achilles in the waters of the River Styx which rendered him invincible, except for the section of his heel by which Thetis held him, the renowned "Achille's heel." Size: 6" L x 1.875" W (15.2 cm x 4.8 cm)

The history of North Africa during Classical times (c. 8th century BCE to 5th century CE) can be viewed as the history of Egypt in the east, the history of Ancient Libya in the middle and the history of Numidia (modern day Algeria and Tunisia) and Mauretania (modern day Morocco) in the West. The Roman Republic established the province of Africa in 146 BCE following the defeat of Carthage, and the mighty Roman Empire ultimately controlled the vast Mediterranean coast of Africa.

Provenance: Ex-estate of M. Reiniger collection, Chicago, IL; ex-Harlan J. Berk, Chicago, IL

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#111603

A section with chips here and there as shown. Still, a wonderful example.